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Frank Reade Dime Novels Collection Dime Novel Collections

December 1893

Frank Reade, Jr., and his electric air-boat; or, Hunting wild beasts Frank Reade, Jr., and his electric air-boat; or, Hunting wild beasts

for a circus for a circus

Luis, 1863-1939 Senarens

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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Senarens, Luis, 1863-1939, "Frank Reade, Jr., and his electric air-boat; or, Hunting wild beasts for a circus" (1893). Frank Reade Dime Novels Collection. 45. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/frank_reade/45

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'"'Noname's" Latest .and Best Stories are Published in This Library.

Ente•·ed as Second Class Jlfatte>· at the Kew Ym·lc, N. Y ., Post Office, October 5, 1892.

FRANK TOUSEY. PurH.ISFIER. ~1 &. 36 NOR'l'H MOORE Sl'REE'r, NEW YORK. New York, December 30, 1893. ISSUED WEEKLY. No. 67. { CO~IPLETE.}

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the yeur 1893, by FRANK TOUSEY, in the o.(Jice of the Lib1·a.·ian of Cong1·ess, at Washington, D. C.

Frank Reade, Jr., AND HIS ELECTRIC AIR-BOAT; or, HUNTING WILD BEASTS FOR A CIRCUS.

By "NON AME."

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2 FRANK READE, JR., A~D HIS ELECTRIC .AIR-BOAT.

The subscription Price of the FRANK READE LIBRARY by the year is $2.50: $1.25 per six months, post-paid. Address FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 34 and 36 North Moore Street. Box 2730.

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Frank Reade, Jr., and His Eleotrio Air-Boat; OR,

WihO BEASTS GIRGUS. By '' NONAME,"

Author of" Frank Reade, Jr., With His Air Ship in Asia," ''Frank Reade, Jr., in the Far West," etc., etc.

CHAPTER I.

THE AGREEMENT.

A GREAT circus had opened in the beautilul city of Readestown and on the following day the veteran showman who owned it made his way to the handsomest house in the place.

This mansion Wlljj owned by a famous young Inventor named Frank ·Reade, Jr., and he proceeded to the reception-ronm where his distin­guislled caller was awaiting him.

Frank was a dashing looking young man, with a dark mustache, an intellectual cast of features and a tine, athletic figure.

He bad made himself famous by inventing the most marvelous elec­trical conlrivanc~s for navigating under water, over the land, and through tho air.

'l.'br great circus manager was a person who spent vast sums of money purchasing Ecuriositiea lor his show, and having reatl in the newsppapers that Frank had l.milt an electric air-boat, be had called to negotiate a purchas& or it.

His card had boen carried to Frank, so that when the young in-ventor entered the room be knew who his caller was.

ShaKing hantls with the circus owner, he asketl: " May 1 ask the object of your call, 1\lr. Barnum!'' " I have come to offer you $5fl,OOO for your new air-boat, Mr.

Reade.'' •· You could not have it lor ten times that sum." " Wby not! It did not cost ns mnch ~o built it," said the circus

owner. "Very true. B•1t my inventions are not for snle." " J am very anxious to add it to my collection of curiosities." "No doubt, hut I have another· purpose for the air-boat." "Indeed! What llo you intend to do with it!" "Make a voyage to Africa to bunt wild beasts for amusement." " By jingo, that gives me a good idea, Mr. Reade.'· " 'l.'o what <lo you allude, sir?" " Could I induce you to hunt these wild beasts for me!" " Do you mean to stock your menageria!" ''Yes. That's exactly the plan." " Capture the ammals at:ve!" "Precisely. Put them io a ship, and send them to this country." "I might as well do that, as to kill the beasts outright.'' "Such work as I propose would l.Je very dangerous." " That's just what I like.'' " Will you do it for me?" "Yes., " W ben will you start!" " In three days." "ExcellPot! Excellent! I shall cable my London agent at once

to charter the ship Black Buss, and dispatch her down to the African coast to Lagod, ami there remain at your disposal for the shipment of any wild beasts you may capture.''

"That will just suit,'' said Frank. "Now, let ns arrange the de-tails, and I will tben show you my new air-boat."

"I did see her, when you made your trial ascension yesterday.'' "Then you obsel'ved bow perfectly she navigated the air!" "Yes. On the strength of it I made yuu my offer to boy her." At this juncture there came a bang at the door. It flew open, an'd in dove a diminutive darky, with thick lips, a big

fiat nose, and a comical expression of countenance. He was propelled rorwar<l by a terrific kick from behind, and landed

in a heap in the middle of the floor. His name was Pomp. . A faithful frwnd and servitor of Frank, be bad always been oce of

the party ou the trips the inventor made in h1s marvels. "Bress de Lawd!'' he gasped, scrambling to his big feet. "l'se

ebber so much oblige' fo' dat kiclr, honey. Gimme anudder one! Glmme anudder one, won't yo'? Gosh amigbty, l'se jest itcbin' fo' ter hab yo' kick de stutnns out ob my pants. Come on, Babney, do, chile!"

Unaware thnt any one was in the room, the coon stuck his fingers np to his nose while facing the open doorway, and wriggled them at somebody who was out in the hall.

"Be heavens!" roared the individual outside, in · tones of intense rage, "if I bad tber use av me bands l'd garrote ye.''

" Yo'!" contemptuously roared the darky, who was trying to Jure the other into tbe room. " Why, yo' ole monkey-faced cllimpanzee, yo' couldn't kill a fly ouless yo' muzzle it first! Yah, yah, yah!"

" It's more tban me bot Eyetalian blootl kin stand!" roared the man outside, in exaspera:ecl tones. " Ter thiuk av me, an O'::;hea, ter take such lip from that liver-colored chromo of brutality! Bat( cess ter yer sow!, I'll thramp yez as I would a worrum, aven i! me hands bes toied beboiml me back. Whoop! Be aff!"

And in be pranced. He was a red-beaded, freckled-faced, raw-bojjed Irishman. His name was Barney, and, like the coon, he lived with Frank,

traveled with ·him, nod was as bold and brave as a lion. Tbe coon bad lassoed him in the yard. Blntling bis arms so he could not use them, Pomp began to shoot

putty balls at him, until Barney chasell him into the bouse with the result mentioned.

As soon as the Celt danced into the room, Lhe coon rushed past him, closed and locked the door, anti roared:

"Now l's~> got yo' wbar no oue kin interfere, an' l'se awine ter shave all de hair off ob yo' heatl!" "'

"Why, begorra, you-ba! Howly fioy-it's Masther Frank!'' He had just caught sight of the inventor and his guest. Pomp's jaw dropped, and he shrunk back abashed at the exhibition

he ba:l made before the Htriinger. . "Here-here!" exclaime<l the young inventor, angrily. "This is a

mce prank for you two big boobies to cut up." The Irishman and the coon glanced sheepishly at each other, and

then eyed Frank without saying a word, and he continued: "I'd like to know what you mean by this caper!" "S'pecs we dido' know d11• you were in heah, sah,'' said Pomp. "It's v. ruction yer spilin'," said Barney. "Tber nagur war afther

makin' a steer av me an' lured me in here ter bate me wid a chair. Hacl yez not caught us, bedn<l, it's but wan lDng he'd be afther havin', The other wan would have been kicked from ther bnzzom av his cor­poration clane troo ther cellin' .''

Frank could not refrain from laughing. The circus owner was roaring at the comical aspect of the two. As soon as they recovered the young inventor said: "Pomp, set Barney free." " Yes, sah,'' said the coon, obeying. "Faith, I'll poolverate the spalneen now!" lhreatened the ·Celt, as

be don bled up his fists, squared oft' and danced around the coon. "Hold on, thar! Stop your nonsense!'' "Axcnse me," said Barney, sobering <town .at once. " I've got some news for you." "Wba' am dat, Marse Frank!" asked Pomp, curiously. Frank introduced them to Mr. Barnum. Then he said: "You know we finished building the new electric air-boat!" "Foive days aj!;o," assented Barney. "An' done gib her a trial trip yistiddy," added Pomp. " She worke<t properly.'' " Foine as silk," said Barney. "And to-day we agreed to go to Africa in ht>r." "Yussab,'' assented Pomp. "Gwine hun tin' fo' wild animiles.'' "Well, boys, our plan shall be to cnpture them alive.'' "Mother av Moses! Aloive, is it?" gasped Barney. "Yes. We will collect a ship load and send them tn this country." " Is it ther loikes av a :wological gardin yer goin' ter shtnrt, or

will yez open a museum?" queried Barney. "They will be exhibited in Mr. Barnum's circus.'' Both the coon and the Celt now understood the programme.

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1

FRANK READE, JR., AND HI8 ELEC'l'RIC d.IR-HOAT. 3

The idP.a was so novel it plea.sed them very much . " The game will be excessively perilous," said Frank, " but if your

constitutions have not changed recently, I think you will both agree with me that the more danger there Is, the better you will like the work. Ain't 1 right!"

"It's a moinu-reader yez are,'' said Barney, with a nod. "'Clar ter glory, l'se JeSt cruzy ter go,'' declared Pomp. "Then it's agreed," saitl Frank. "No obstacle remams now, Mr.

Barnum. We shall do the work for you." "Goo<ll" said the delighted circus man. "And now to arrange

the details. I will pay $500 to $1,000 for every indivhlnal wild beast you catch of which I will give you a. list.. And, gentlemen, by the time you finish, you can easily win a. compensation of $40,000 to $60,000." .

Here was a grand incentive. ~ They laid their plans according to Mr. Barnum's design. After that the circus owner took his departure. The three then discussed the matter awhile, and finally went out to

the enormous shops of tbe famous inventor. These bnildwgs covered a large tract of ground, and in one of them

having a sliding roof they found the air-boat. She stood in the middle of the big room when they entered, and

was a most singular craft in appearance. But they scarcely bad lime to notice her, wben they heard a tre­

mendous craslnng on the decK. Glancing in the direction of the sound, they were very much startled

to observe a man ·on the boat, armed with a long-baDl!led sledge with which he was deliberately smushing her to pieces.

A cry of di~may escaped them. Frank was rendered frantic. He drew a revolver and aimed at the stranger. "Madman!" lle sbouteli. "Stop that, or l'li kill yon!" The stranger paused, started, turned deathly pale, and glancing

around he fastened a startled glance upon the three. "Caught!" he gasped In alarm.

CHAPTER H.

SHADRACH, THE LION TAMER.

TaE Rambler, as the air boat was named, was made of aluminum. Tbe forward part of the deck house was a pilot-room, the midship

section a huge cage, and the after part an engine room. On each side were four uprights with four bladed screws at the

apex, on the deck house was another with three larger screws unli all were arranged to lift the boat in the air.

At the stern two shafts projected with big driving wheels at the end bracer\ oy a cylindrical pedestal.

The air-rudder was fixed at the bow, a searcbli~ht stood on the pilot room, and the boat rested upon a number of flanges.

Several of the uprights had been broken ty the stranger and he was about to attack the deck house when Frank stopped him.

The inventor saw that be was a dark-faced fellow, With a beavy mop of black hair, a big nose, !!;luring eyes and a short, bristling black beard, while his thin, wiry body was clad in old, cheap clothing.

" Drop that slP.dge!" the wventor shouted at him. "Yes-yes! Gosh, don't ti1el" yelled the man in frightened tones. "Now, come down here and give an account of yourself." "All right! All right!" gasped the stranger, hastily obeying. B11rney and Pomp Reized him the moment he landed. The rascal saw that Frank would not hesitate to lire upon him if he

revolted, for he was trespassing and creating the most malicious mis­chief.

"Why was you destroying this boat!" demanded Frank. The man maintained a sullen silence. "Speak!'' exclaimed the inventor, angrily. "I won't tell yo11," was the grim reply. "What harm have I ever done yout'' t "None," replied the man, qUickly. "Then why are you injuring- me this wayt" "I'll tell you this much: 1 did it out of revenge to another.'' Frank was perplexed and astonished by this reply. He could not comt>rehend how he could he made to suffer for the

Injury some unknown person had done to this man. " Since you won't confess to me," said he at length, " I'll find out

your motive by putting you in pnson.'' A deathly pallor overspread the man's face. He darted a quick, fril!;htened glance at Frank,;and gasped: " Don't put me in jail!" " I intend to punish you for your crime." "Good heavens, spare me-have pity on mel" "No, sir! You are a dangerous mun to let roam at large." " Oh, what a fool I was to do this mad act!" He seemed to be so overcome wil.h remorse that Frank began to re·

lent, and thought of permitting him to go his way. Before he could carry out his good intention, the man underwent a

sodden revulsion of feeling. With a hlack scowl unon his face, he. began to rave and swear hor-

ribly a.t his captors. He showed a demoniacal nature. It disgusted Frank and his friends. "You wait!'' the man yelled snvagely. "The time will come

when I'll get free again. My llrst care will be to come back here and kill you-every one of yoll'l"

Then he burst into another furious torrent of abuse against them, and used such horrible language that they fairly shuddered.

"Take him away to the pollee station," cried Frank. "HI bad a bung," enid Barney, " be heavens l 'd jam it in his

throat!" " Come on yo' loafer!" roared Pomp. " If yo' doan· I'se gwine ter

slug yer!" They drugged the villain out of the shop. Tbeu tt.ey started off for police headquarters with him. After they were gone, a man came running toward· Frank from the

street, looking very mudh excited. Be was a perfect giant In size, and a veritable Herc:1les in strength,

and his mustache and hail" wera of a brick red color. He wore a sloucht>d hat, a suit of gray corduroy, and had a pair of

eyes that few men could encounter without flinchi:Ig. Pausing near Frank he exclaimed breathlessly: "Say! Did you see a shabby-looking gent around these premises!

He was a thin, wiry fellow, with a mop of black hair, a bristly beard, be had a big nose, Wild eyes, and a very dark complexion."

" Yes," answered Frank; "a fellow answering your description was in here a few momenta ago smashing a new flying machine I just built. I sent bim·to jail.: '

"Thunderatlon! Then I've arrived too late. He was Sim Nixon, who was connected with Barnum's show. Had a quarrel with the lJosB tn-day, and got so abusive he was kicKed out. I hemd him say he was coming here to srnush tbt~ Hying machine, so Barnum could not get it and do him out of the work he's been accusto;ned to. I presume you are Frank Reade, Jr., the inYe:Itor!"

"Yea,'' assented FranK. "And you?" "Me? Ob, I am Shadrach, the lion-tamer. You see, Nixon was

employed t,o procure animal& for the menagerie. He wae such an ugly cuss Barnum only kept him because he needed !Jim. But as the boas told him lie was going to buy your air-boat to do the work,· and would need b1m no longer, he got cranky. Never expecte.1 bG'd get tired. Thought they couldn't do without him. Had a bad case of awelleli head."

" Then he came here to destroy my air-ship so Barnum could not u3e it, and would be compelled to retain his services?"

''You've struck it. When he made the threat and went out, I was in costume practicing with the animals. I had to chauge mv rig be-fore I could get here to warn you to look out for him." •

" How did be know Barnum was going to try to get the air·boat!'' " 1'he boas was telling the manag~r before Nixon, so as ~o take the

conceit out of him.'' " Well, be started in to do the work, but before he had entirely

ruined her we caught him,'' said Frank. "He would not admit what his object w:~s, but now I understand the motive, and I'm obliged for the trouble you put yourself to for mP."

" Don't mention it,'' replied Shadrnch, in an off-hand way. •• I'm sorry I didn't get here in lime. Are you going to get me a hooT"

"A pair of them are mentior.ed in the list." " Good enough. How I wish I. was going with you. I have no

animals worth performing with now. Our lion diet! of old age a week ago. Since then my worl' don't amount to anything."

" I'll tnl!.e you along if you wish to go.'' " You will?" cried the lion-tamer, delightedly. " This 1s blind luck.

I'll take up that offer. I heard Barnum say you were going to Africa to hunt for wild lJensts for him. l'm an old unimal trapper myself. Once I was in Central Africa; I caught more animals than any other man the boss ever sent out. Besides that I call" speak the lingo of several of the native tribes."

"Then you'll be just the man we want with us," said Frank, realiz­ing what a valuable acquisition Shadrach could be. " We are to get $500 to $1,000 ·for every animal we catch. There are thirty pairs of animals wanted. That meana $40,000 to 60,000 form~. If you join m~ crew thP.re will be four in the party. Each one will receive $10,-000 to $15,000, for I'll equally divide the profit."

"Thunder<.~.tion! It's a ~o! That bents twenty· fiYe dollars per week salarv all to pieces. I'll join you. Let me go back to the cir­cns and tell Barnum. He'd be glad to have me go, for he knows very W('ll l'm a veteran in this businesa who bas had a great experi­ence that could be turned to his ncc0uut."

" H<>re come Bnroey and Pomp bar.k.'' " Who are they!" "My two friends. They are going with me." Both the coon and the Irishman looked worried. When they reached Frank, the Celt cried bitterly: " The spnlpeen escaped from us!" " Heavens! Is that so?" cr1ed Frank, in alarin. "He did. Tearin' himsllf free av our grip wbin near ther stction,

he jumped into a doct.or's buggy an' driv away. We follied. But he bate us to ther railroad deppo. A tbrain war jist stamin' out. He wint ahoard, an' begorra, we arruv only jist in toime ter see tber back uv hie neck a moile away."

"Did you inform the police!" "Faix, we did thnt, but it's no good it will do." Frank was very much disgusted. He introduced his friends to Shndracb. Then he explained all that the lion tamer said.

•

Sbndruck then went back to the circus, nnd our friends returned to the shop to examine the damage Nixon did.

It would occupy several days to repair it, but they were glad it was no worse, and carried away the wreckage. 1

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l

4 FRANK READE, JR., AND HIS ELECTRIC AIR-BOAT.

Ou the following day the circus left town, and Slladracll remained behind to accompany Frank on his air trip.

Work was begun upon the Rambler. New uprigh~s were substituted lor the broken ones, supplies of vari·

ous kinds we.re stowed away in tlle rooms in the bull, and at the ex­pir~tiou of a week the air boat wus ready to depart.

Frank and llis companions had all their bosiness affairs properly settled, and went to the shop one afternoon.

The sliding roof was removed. Boar11ing the Rambler, the yoong inventor entered the wheel-room,

in which were the levers for controlling tlle machine. · Pulling one or them, be put the electric current from a series of

9t.orage batteries in connection with a -motor that operated the ma­chinery to wbicil the upr1ght screws were geared.

A tremendous buzzing of the air followed, and the air-boat soared up through the roof to the sl;y.

Every one in the streets of Readestown caught sight of the ascend­,ing machine.

A tremendous cheer greeted her crew. Our friends waved their hats to the aumiring spectators as the

Rambler continued to go upward. Cheer after cheer continued to emanate from the crowd, but soon

the rapid flight upward of the air-boat plunged her into a dense cloud, and she ftuted from view, Barney playing ll lively reel on a tid· die, and Pomp accompanying him witlt a banjo.

CHAPTER III. THE STORM IN "filE SK'i.

"GREA'r Heaven, Burney, put on every volt the battenes can gene­rate for the drivinz screws, or we are <lead men!"

'!.'his cry pealed from Frank's lips a week later. Higtl in the heavens the air-boat was spee:ling along, and back of

her there came a black cloud, from which great streaks or lightning wert> flashing incessantly.

Propelled lly the high witH!, t!:e cloud was making at least eighty miles an hour in that hi~h current.

The Rt\mbler was riJing in its way. Barney pulled the lever all the way over, and the big driving wheels

flew around swiftly. Ahead darted the boat at a furious po.ce. She l.lad risen to a helgllt of 12,000 feet to get above a storm that

was raging furiously beneath her. It was friglltfully cold. To ascend higher meant a temperature of many degrees below zero,

while if sbe went down, she wool(! plunge into the storm. Consequently Franlt preferred to· try to race the fierce electric

cloud that was flying after her. It was a terrific race. Above tile declining sun thre1v a yellow tint through the ha:;o;y at­

mosptlere, and a dull gloom pruvatled. Upon earth it was already nigtlt. The tops of the storm cloucls under the flying machine looked like

the rolling billows o! a smoi'Y ocean. Occasionally an appalling thunder clap roared out like the booming

or artillery on the bllttletield. Lurid flashes of lightning tore through the cloud hanks, sending a

crimson glare into ttle surroundiAg space. Terrible as ttle storm below was, it seemed feeble by contrast with

the pursuing cloud. Ttlis monster was hundreds of feet thick, as black as ink, and re­

mained iu a most singular sbapu. Almost incessant streaks of electric fire llew out of its edges, and

whizzed through ttle atmosphere to a gre11t distance. It came rolling and swaying along in hot pursuit of tha air-boat,

reaching out its devastating zig-zag streaks of tire toward. her, as if eager to strike the Rambler.

Tllis bristly demon of the air was &a~urated with electricity, and de· spite the utmost efforts of the Rambler, seemed to gain on ber.

Franlt watched it nervously. He realizetl tha·, once the boat was in close proximity to the cloud,

their lives woultl be very much endangered. Rushing into tlle wbeel-room, he glu.ncea at the registers. The air-boot was speeding alang u.t the rate of a mile a minute, with

the current of air she was In, Her screws were ,whirling just lust enough to hold her suspended at

a height of 12,000 feet above the Atlantic, and her coarse was due southeast. •

"Barney, raise her up higher! We can't escape the cloud!" he cried. " But, begorrn, we'll frooze,'' objected the Celt. " It can't be helped. Try itl" Barney groaned, and pulling one of the levers he increased the speed

of revolutions madt> uy the screws. Up mounted the Rambler, obeying the impulse, but it soon became

apparent tlmt siHl could not avoid her pursuer that way as the cloud seemed to follow the draught sbe created.

'•l'he air·shrp shot upward until she .was 26,400 feet. above the sea, and a thick, hoar frost settle<'. all over her.

" Five miles up!'' muttered Frank, looking at a gauge. He glauced out the door. The gloom ha•l int f! nsilied, anti the cold was so bitter that had they

not been warmly clad, they would have frozen. · Still pursuing them came the cloud. By this time it was only half a mile astern.

A look of des!Jair crossed Frank's faee. "Have we left it?" gasped Barney, who was shivering and shaking

with tlle awful cold. "No. Let her drop down into the storm-quick!" Barney slackened the speed of the screws nnd the boat began to

gravitate toward the sea again. Down, down she sunk, every loot increasing the temperature, and

Frank glanced out the window. The cloud clung to their track. As be looked an awful fla~h or forked lightning with many branch·

es !lew toward the bollt. Tbe next instant she was surrounded by the terrible lire. It afl"ected her electric apparatus as j( it were paralyzed. The macllinery seerr.ed to stop. A sickeuing downward plunge of the boat followeu. Sbe eeeme<l to have lost all ller power. " Heavens!" guspeu Frank, clapping his hand to his eyes. He imagined that tbe crisis barJ come. A dense gloom instantly followed tlte appallicg flash and the swift;

descent o! the bJat increased. It made the braios of the crew fairly swim. Then there came a ~odden shock. Tbe buzzing was heard. Again tbe screws were whirling. Her power had returned as abru}Jtly as it left her and the speed ot

her descent became modified. She soon reached the uillowy storm clouds, but hy that time was

hanging by her screws in space once mot'e. Her downward rush had urought th~ electrilied clouds plunging

along flfter her, and she went tbrough tLte storm a~ if she were he· fo,~tged.

Just as she came ouL of the storm clouds in a heavy downpour of rain the electrified cloud reached the storm.

'l'he conjunction o! the two clouds created tlte most terrific thunuer clap tbat ever shook tbe sea.

'l.'housamls of electric streaks and sparks flew in every direction about the Rambler.

She swayed as if she had .been strucK by a cye:one. She speed of her descent increased, cuusiag Barney to make the

screws whrrl faster. It was int~:>nsely dark where she then lloated, and the Celt torned

the electric current into the search·li~tJt. A tremendous glare shot downwanl. It fell upon the ocean only liOO feet below. Instantly the Irishman increased tt;e speed or the screws, and the

descent of the machine was checked. Sbe fell oo further, but maintaining her present altit e roshed

along under the propulsion of her stern screws. "Safe!" gasped Frank. He knew they were u.ll right now. " How about tllat cloud, sort" asked Barney. " It wtnt to pieces among the storm clouds." "Thanks ter St. Pathenck fer that!" " Where's Pomp and Shadrach!" " Faith they wor down below in ther cabin." "Queer we haven't heard anything of them." "Sure somethin' may have b"apptmed thim." " I'll go down anti see.'' Frank descended a companionway in a corner of the room and

found himself in a small cabin in tho forward section of tbe boat. It contained a number of bunks. Selling nothing of the two in question, he passed into the combined

dining-room and kitchen but failed to see them there. The room buck cf this was a store-room and abaft of it a compart·

meat wherein the electriC machinery stood. A number of rods, wheels and wires covered the ceiling, the walls

were made into receptacles for storage batteries, and in the middle of the room stood three macllines.

One was an electric li~htin~ engine for the incandescent lamps, with which each room was fitted, the other was a small oil engine for operatlng a powerful dynan,o hy means of whieh the batteries were charged.

The electric motors governing the screw shafts anu driving wheels were up in the stern most compartment.

Upon the floor of this room lay Pomp and Shadrach flat on their backs, to all appearances deacl.

A cry of horror escaped Frank. He rushed up lo them and knelt clown. To his relief he found them hoth faintly breathing. "Some dreadful accident has occurred to them!'' he muttered. But what it was be could not Imagine. He procured some liquor and set to work reviving them. It was u difficult ta>k. But Iinally he succeeded. The giant lion tamer was the first to recover. "Thunderation!" he gasped, "what a shock!" "What ails you!" demanllell Frank. " Hang me if I know. When we were high up In t,he air it seemed

as if a million streaks or lightning flew off the machinery. When it hit me, I felt as if I had taken hold of an electric battery. It knocked me flat as a tlounder."

" Anti Pomp got the same sbo~k. I presume." "Yes. Say, tho.t was a scorcher, wasn't it?" •• It must have happened when the lightning struck the boat.''

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,

FRANK READE, JR.. .AND ~IS ELECTRIC .AIR-BOAT. 5

"Fo' de Lawu sake, 11;imme au ax!'' said Pomp, just then. " Wbat for?'' asked Frank. "I'se gwine ter kill Barney fo' playin' lint electric joke on me." " He didn't do it. Tile lightning str~ck us." ''Golly! I done link it wuz a joke.'' Just then Frank heard Barrey yell through a speakmg tube: "Mastber Frank! Come up beret Quick!" There was an inflection to his tones showing that something ser·

ious llad transpired. Wondering what it was, Frank rushed up-stairs to the pilot-house

and joined tlle Irishman.

CHAPTER IV.

THE KING OF THE FOREST.

"WHAT's the matter, Barney!" "Be Heavens there's a ship iJein' dhriv ashore on ther rocks be

ther storm!" cried the Irishman, pointing out the wtndow. The search-light was lJiazing down upon the ocean, and Frank saw

the waves running very higll. .A fierce gale was blowing from the north west, and torrents of rain

poured from the sky. Below the Rambler was a frowning coast, the water boiling over

tlle outlying rocks furiously. A ship was caught in tue storm, Sbe had made terrible leeway, as it was a difficult matter to beat

away from the coast agamst storm and tide, although abe had a stay­sail up forward, and a balance-reefed spnuker aft.

It was clear enough to Frank that sbe.could not make any headway, and as she was dangerously close to the shore, sbe was bound to go uponiL 1

"Tbat must be the coast of Africa!" he exclaimed. "Faith, it's a gurn case, that ship is, entoirelyl'' " Hold on! She is not on tile rocks yet!" " What do you mean be that!" "Hold the Ramblet· where she is, and you'll see.'' Bamey stopped tbe air-boat. Running out on deck, Frank loosened the anchor line. As soon as the grapnel was free, he guided it to fall upon tbe deck

of the plunging vessel, and sbouted: "Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!" "A-hoy!" came the faint reply. " Make that line fast to your craft!" "Ay, ayl" He could see the sailors securing the rope. It was fastened to the C!lpstan, and as soon as it held, Frank saw

that the other end was secured to the stern of the Rambler, and then shouted to Barney:

" Head for the west!'' "West it l>es!'' cheerily answered the Irishman. Away ran the flying mttchine, and tbe line was pullet.! taut when the

bow of the ship was i:J.auied around. It WIIS II hard tug. But she slowly began to forge ahead. Gradually she wus pulled away from the dangerous shore by the

gallant air-boat, until at last she had a safe offing. The Rambler went etraigbt in tbe teeth of the gale, never faltering

an inch, her big rudder carrying her in any direction Barney turned it.

"There! She bas plenty sea room now,'' Frank muttered. " Ahoy there!" came a cry ft"llm the ship. "Well?'' demanded Frank, at the top of Ius voice, for the lashing

and booming t>f the waves, coupled with the shrieking of the wind through the rigging, raised a fearful din.

"We are safe enou2;h now, thanks to you." "Good! What craft is that!'' •• The ship Black Bess, hound for Lagos." "In the employ of Mr. Barnum!" " Ay, ay. How did you knowr• "Because this is the air-hont whic!• wlil supply you with the ani-

mals you are to takE~ back to America?" "Just what we suspected." " Cnst off the hawsers and we will follow you to port." This order was ol>eyAd. Conversation was difficult in the tumult of the elements. Frank hauled up the hawser, and securing the grapnel, he returned

to the pilot-bouse. Pomp and Shadrnch were in there explaining to Barney what bad

bappenet.l to them in the engine-room. When Frank told them what ·vessel it was they had saved from

wreckage, their astonishment knew no bounds. . The search-light was kept reflected down upon tl:.e ship, and they eaw her run for the Gulf of Guinea.

She bud a hard time of it thut night, but passing the grain, ivory, gold and slave coasts on the following day she finally reached her destination.

It was an -island on the coast of Sokoto, with a good harbor and was connected with tbe mr.in by several smaller ieles.

When she finally came to anchor, the air-ship desc~>nded until it fell in the sea beside her, and Frank boarded tbe vessel.

He met the captain dnd a lively conversation ensued about their business, at the end of which their pinus were all arranged.

Returning aboard the air-boat, Frank found that P'Jmp had cook-

e,l a good dinner on his electrically heated range and while dining told his companions what be said and tlid.

"There are sixty strong metal cages aboard the Black Bass," saiJ he, " and as soon as we catch the animals we are se&king we will bring them to the ship and put them aboard.''

" Have you got a ltst of the critters!" asked Siladracb. " Yes','' replied Frank, producing a papAr, "here it ls. tisten and

I'll read of!· the names: Gorilla, hyena, jnckal, lions, leopard, civet cat, while-tailed gnn, zebm, ouager dromedary, bntfulo, glrafl"e, illex goat, porcupine, ostrich, charneieon, crocodile, hippopotamus, ele­phant, rhinoceros, and ten minor animals. H we can get a pair or the young or any or them we are expected to take tbern."

" Donn' see how yo' g;wiue to carry all ob d~m yer critters at once in dis yere ship," said Pomp. " De fact '"" dat if yo' was fo' ter put a elephant aboard sl;e wouldn't fly-no snb!"

" Cupture them one by one," laughed Frank. " Small ones two by two,"

" Is it in ther ordher named yez will tackle thim?'' " As nearly us I can make out, •• replied the young invf>ntor, smil­

ingly. '' l'll tackle them as I lind them. A fellow can't be too choice upon tbat point where he might have to spend a week trying to get a certain animnl, and in the end lose it.''

As soon as tbe meui was finished they overhauled the macbinery of ihe Rambillf, and pnttmg her m tlrst class condition, they ra1sed ber in the nir and sent ller inland.

It was a most peculiar country. After passing the sandy and roc~<y coast, the Rambler went over a

grussy ccuntry, thickly speckled with calabases. Square native !Jouses were seen in places, allout which the naked

s:.vages indolently lounged. As the grass lands wr-re left behind, they came npon a dense,

thorny jungle, baaed upon a sandy red soil. The sun was declining in the west, and Pomp was posted on look·

out, while Frank held the &teering wheel. On hoth sides the horizon was bounded by lumpy, outlying hills. In half nn hour a kraal was reacbed-a patch or yellow grass, offer­

ing a clearing in the thorny U1icket. Further on to the north over a ruddy plain lay scattered heaps of

gruy granite bowlders, surrounded by tufts of uleacbed white grass. The copse e~hibitetl various hues, calabashes purple, a••d burnished

by the sun and rain, thorns of a greenish, coppery bronze, dead tree!! with ghostly white trunks, and yellow stnbhle patches.

Frank headed fo• a large, dense forPst. As the Rambler flew over the trees at a height of less than one

hundred feet, be could 8ee tlmt tt,e woods were inbabited by numer­ous gaudy sun-birds, iamprotornis, bee enters and parrots.

In the waters of the strPams lloated the huge, Jog-like bodies of crocodiles, while in the swamps were large secretary IJirus, that preyed up oR serpents and other reptiles. ·

For the most part the woods was made up of olive, orange and dato palm tr€es, evergreen oaks, cork trees aud sen pines, intermixed with cypresses, myrtles, arbutus and fragrant bt:aths.

Wild plantations of sugar cnne were seen in the glens and glades, and Fran!< heatted Cor one of them.

"The gorillas usually are found among the cane," he ·remarked, "nnd we may as well examine this place as auy other."

He let the Rambler descend in a clearing in tbe woods near ti.Je canebrake, ana sh'l lauded upon her flanges.

S!Ja<lrach aiightet.l with him. .. If there's any sign of gorillas around here," said he, "I'll soon find

it. I know all ahout their habits.'' He went of!" among the trees with Frank, and kept his keen glance

roving ahout continually. When they reachert ~he margin of the woods be paused. "See anything?" asked Frank. " Look at those supliugs," replied Sbadrach. The trees be pointed at were from four to six inches in dlnmeter,

nad b~Jen broken, and bore the marks or gorillas' canine teeth, that penetrated to the heart of 1 he trees to extract the pith.

It was an astonisl::ing proof or the enormous streu~th of these ter· rible bensts, and showed tbut they had been there.

A crackling of branches reacbed Frank's ears. " What's that!" he muttered. "Hush! Draw your revolver!" whiHpered the lion tamer. They fastened their glances upon the jungle of cane which was

swayed rapidly just ahead of them. In a momeut more it parted right and left and out of it rushed a

male gorilla on all fours. The moment he saw the bunters he erected himself and looked them

holdly in the face. Standing fifteen yards distant the brute was a picture. He stood six feet tall, had a huge body, w1de chest, enormous

muscular arms, fiercely glaring, large, deep gray eyes and a most hideous expression upon his face.

He pounded Lis breast with his huge Hats till it sounded like a ba~s­drum aml gave a sharp bark that glided into a deep roar, wbich sounrled exactly like heavy thunder.

It was an appalling mode of detlnnce. As Frank ,!!lanced at this king of the African forests it did not seem

possible to capture it alive. Yet such was his intention. The gorilla advancl'ld toward the two hunters fearlessly and let out

roar after roar as it approached.

6 FRANK READE, JR., AND HIS ELECTRIC AIR-BOAT.

CHAPTER V.

A NIGHT ATI'A.CK.

ONE blow from the paw of t!Jnt savage beast would auffice to tear Frank in two, or one bite from the massive jaw would peuetrate his bodv till his bones were crushed.

·' Sballllire?" wliispered Shadracb. " No. Back up till we reach the boat. I want him.'' _ " But yon can't catcll him alive.'' " Oh, yes I shall.'' "It's Impossible. His strength is tremendous.'' " By the time I'm done be will be as helpless as a kitten.'' They retreated step by step toward the boat, the gorilla following

them, and when it saw the Rambler it paused uud roared again. Barney and Pomp heard ti.Je awful voice', and now saw the beast

with feelings of mteuse dismay. •• I say!" cried Frank. "Yis, sort" replied tbe Irishman. " Bring a thick wire from the battery-quick!" " Current on?" " Full force: I'll paralyze the brute.'' Into the wheel-room dashed Barney. He put on rubber gloves to insulate his bands, fuste~ed one end of a

coil of wire to a binding post on the wall, turned a swttc4 to eiectnfy the wire, and rushed out with it.

A. blue and red Harne hissed and crackled off the end of the wire, and just as be reached the rail, the gorrila made a sudden rush for Frank ar;d the lion-tamer.

Losing not an instant, Barney burled the coil of wire at it. 'l'he beast paused and recuileJ. . It then pounced upon the wire with both paws. . No sooner had it seized tile live wire when it recllived an electriC

shock so powerful r.a to knock it down. · TI.Je roar that pealed from ita big mouth awoke an echo far and

near, and it convulsively writhed and llung itself all over the ground. It could not relax its grip on the wire, and the longer it held on,

the more it was electritled by the terrtble current. '!'here wAre 300 volts !lying into the squirming brute, and the spas­

mJdic convulsions of its gigantic body were !rigbtful to witness, us it rolled and kicked on the ground.

Roar after roar pealed from its throat. "Got him!" cried Frank, dPlightedly. "Thunderation! That's a clever game!" "The current will soon knock nil the spunk out of bim.'' "Nothing short of such a lightning stroke would subdue him.'' "Wait! I'll soon render him helplesa." Frank procured an ax and cut down a young tree, lopped off the

branches, and left a fork at one end. •· Barney!'' he called. "Bring me two pair of shackles and one of

tlloae thick leather bags from tbe store-room.'' The Celt hastened away. • While be was getting the things, Frank strode up to the struggling

monster, and waiting Ins chance, he pinned its aeck dowu to the ground with the fork in the lree.

It required nil his strength to bold it there. Down came Barney with the handcuffs. "Now, Shadrach, hold him here, and I'll renqer him harmless.'' ''Look out for yoursell," cautioned the lion-tamer. He was mucb ~tronger thlin Frank, and held tbe big demon pinned

down while the inventor cautiously approached it. Its legs and arms were llying around furiously. A.s Frank stooped over to snap the handcun·s upon its ankles, the

brute was watching him. It bad as much command over its feet as it had'its banda, and reach­

ing out the one Frank designed to sllackle, with lightning-like rapidity it seized him.

A. cry of pain escalJed him as the sharp nails ripped his trouser leg and pierced bia liesh, inflicting a wound.

He was held 11a if by a vise. Fortunately he did not lose bis wits. Endurin~ the pain a few moments, he got one of the bracelets

arouna the beast's ankle, and then snapped it on the other. He jerl;ed himself 11way from it then. " Hurt!" symputhetically asked Shadrach. " Yes, but I've secured his legl!. Barney-Pomp!" " Wba' yo' want!" "Yia, sor; what is it!" "Come down with a rope and rubber gloves for three." The Celt and the coon obeyed. Frank then got one of the bracelets on the gorilla's wrist. "Now help me drag the brute's arms behind ItS back.'' Helpless as the animal was, this feat required all the strength of

the three, the rubber gloves they wore insulating their banda from tile current charging the brute. , They tinnily fastened ita long arms behind its back.

The leather bag was slipped over its big head, effectually muzzling it, and was then tied around ita neck.

Several air holes per:nitted it to breathe, but it was so blindfoldeu it could not see. ·

The forked stick was then removed from its neck, and the current was cut out or tile copper wire.

Even then it did not cease roaring and struggling to get free, but the metal shackles tirmly held the beast.

He rolled over and over upon tbe ground, his cri~s being smothered by the bug, but be was helpless.

"We've got him now!" lauglled Frank. "Knowing what their strength is, I didn't think yo•1'd do it." "Faith, it's botllered I am ter kaow bow we'll gtt birr: aboord." "Kaiu't we curry him, Marse Frank!" "No," replied Frank, sllakiug his head. "He's too heavy." " Suppose we hoist birn aboard with a tackle~·· asked Shudrach. "Bedad, it's tiler level head yer llus," satd Barney. "I'se gwlne ter tix de full au' lJlock!" Pomp exclaimed. "Corns

on, Barney. Frank nodded, and they went aboard tile R::unbler. Having arranged a tackle, tlley fastened a sling around the gor­

illa's body, and the coon and Celt wound a windlass. By this means they hoisted the beast up, opened the door in tb&

cage, and deposited him within one of the three compartments. Every one was jubtlant over their success. Never I.Jefore bad a full grown ~orilla been taken alive. "As it will be impossible to keep !urn Jiving in the state we've got

bim in,'' said Slludrach, "we llad better carry him to the ship andre­lieve him of his bonds.''

The rest c.Jncurred, for the lion tamer knew more ai.Jout these ani­mals than tlley did, so the boat was started olt

When alit:, reached the ship, the surprise of the crew was intense-­when tbey saw the gorilla.

l'n order to stow him aboard properly and witb r.o danger, Frank chloroformed bim when t.hey got !Jim in his cage on the ship, and ths bag and shackles were removed.

bur fri•mds then boarded tile Rambler, and sent her back to the land again, just as night fell.

They took a dilierant direction this time. As nothing could I.Je doroe tha~ night, they landed m a clearing, be­

side some rocks, had supper, aud lJOS~iug a watch, turned in for tb& night.

Toward dayhght, while Pomp was on duty, he observed a nom bet> of dusky forms creeping toward the boat.

At tirst be imagined they were jackals. Watchmg them intently awhile in the gloom, for the moon and

stars were bid bellind the clouds, he suddenly turned tbe search· light on.

As the brilliant glare flashed over the figures, he uttered a stilled cry of alarm.

They were men. It wna clear that the negroes ha<i aeen the Rambler, ar.d were-­

creeping tovmrJ her to open an attack. Pomp did not say a worQ. A grim smile stole over hia face though as he tlwught how he would

baffle the plan of the natives. Grasping the screw-lever, be gave it a pull, intending to send the.

Rambler flying up in the air. Unfortunutely for this scheme the storage batteries were exhausted,

1 and could not work without recharging. A. startled cry burst from Pomp's thick lips when he realized this,

and he hastily shut the doors and windows, I.Jolled them and pressing an electric button, he rang an alarm gong.

The tremendous clamor quickly aroused his friends. Up-stairs they came rushing scarcely waiting to dress, and dashing

into the pilot-house asked the cause of the noise. "An attnck by coons,'' replied Pomp. " Wher" are thl'y?'! hastily asked Frank. "Look out de bull'il eyes, honey.'' Frank did so. The sight was very unpleasant. A.round the boat was an army of several hundred men. " Wby don't you send her np!" he askl'ld. " Kase de batteries am played out, chile,'' replied Pomp. "Then all hands arm yonr&elvea.'' They rushed away to procure weapous. In a few minutes they were ready. But by this time the blacks were swarming all over the boat, yell­

ing and pounding her all over in a desperate elfort to gain possession of some or the I.Jright silvery metal of which abe was built.

It wa~ cler..r that unless they were driven away they would aoon de­molish the flymg machine.

"Fire a volley out at them!" cried Frank. His friends opened the windows to comply wben in through the

openings flew a dozen spears and arrows tipped with a deadly poison which meant certain death to the one who received only as mucb as a mere scratch.

CHAPTER VI. A LION HUNT, '

THE negroes wbo attacked the air-ship were well-made fellows of a. shiny, jet-black <'Olor, wearing loose aprons of red aud dark-stripo!d bark-cloth, slung over their shouldr:ra.

They had opnl·hueu eyeballs, teeth like pearls, a profusion of broad, mass&ve rings of snowy ivory round their arms, and conical orna­ments of hippopotamus tooth suspended from their necks.

A wild chorus of shouts escaped tbem when Lhey shot their weapons in through the windows.

It was almost a miracle that the darts did ntlt strike the crew, nnd before the blacks conld repeat the volley, Frank and his friends shot .their revolvers among t.hem.

..

r FRANK READE, JR., AND HIS ELECTRIC AIR-BOA'l'. 7

The weapons worked by pneumatic pressure, and sent out bullets that were loadeu witt. explostve bulleto w!Jich bur:it like torpedoes upon contact.

Several of the blacks fell wounded, and the rest became so fright­ened by tile loud explosions of Lhe bullets that they sprang to the ground, deserting the air-boat.

"Keep on tiring!" cried Frank. "Hurroo fer Oirelanll!" roared Barney. "Och, it's a bit av black­

thorn I have !Jere ter welt tiler !Jeads u.v t!Jim spa.Lpetlns. Lave me go out an' give tllim a taste av it."

"You'd get kill6d if you did," said Shadrach. "Den luo· me go," advised Pomp. •· Gol!y, wha' a. joke dat wouhl

be. G'wan out Bn!Jney. Yo' don' know !Jow curious' lister see !Jow yo' look when you'se dead, !Joney."

" Keep them at bay," said Frank, " ami I'll run down-stairs and recharge the batterieo so as we can use the screws."

His friends complied. He then went to the engine room. Starting the air engine !Je got tile dynamo going. It was connected with the storage batteries, and tbey were charged

again as rapidly as possible. Several !Jours were occupied during this, and In the meantime the

defenuers up·stairs had more tllan one ekirmisiJ with the black men, who had taken to cover.

The hot suu mounted the heavens and the negroe3 all began to van­ish after a w bile.

Barney thought they ball given up the fight .• "Don't you fool ~· ourself," said 8haurach. "They are very cun·

nin"' and are up to some deep game, you may depend.'' ,:;oG'wayl" said Pomp, skeptically. " Dey's afraid ob <lese yere

guns, an' seein' dat <ley can't git at us dey flew de coop.'' "Begorry, it's not wan av thim is in soight now," said Barney.

~ 11 No,'' answered the lion tamer, "!Jut see ther<1!" , He pointed out the window. ·

A circle of lire had sprung up around the boat. It was some distance away, but the dry grass, twigs, leaves and

trees were soon in a roaring mass or l\ame w!Jich the wind drove to­ward them raphliy.

The coon and the Celt were startled. It was apparent t11n.t the natives designed to burn them out, and it

was equally as tertaiu that once that roaricg fire engulfed the boat, they would be in dan~er of their lives.

Tbe lire rushed toward them with amazing velocity. · In less than five minutes the Rambler would be engulfed In the

midst of the devastating furnace. "Frank! Frank! It's be foire we're surrounded!" yelled Barney. " What's that!" yelled the inventor from down-stairs. " Can we use tber battheries yet.!" "In ten minuted they'll be fuily charged." " But we can't wait. Fer ther Jove nv Beaven cut out ther dynamo

an' be nfther ewitcbin' thim on ter ther machmery, or it's roast pork we'll all be.''

" Start her off!'' said Frank, stopping the dynamo. Barney sprang to the levers, anu pulled the one controlling the

screws, whereupon the boat darted up into the air. She just escape:! in tim A, for a few moments afterwards the fire

reachej the place she !Jad just evacuated. The heat ascended around the boat but she soon got ont of it and

left the fire far below. Frank hastened up-stairs. A glance out the window showed him what happened. "Did the l.Jlncks do it?" he asked. "Golly, yes," assented Pomp, " an' dis chile fink dey bu'n us fo'

shuah." "We must not le~ the batteries give out that way again," sai<l the

inventor, rPprovingly. "There are two sets. While we are deriving power from one, the dynamos ought to be charging the other • . You know that each set is not calculated to last more than twenty four hours. Bad such a thing occurred while we were high in the air, our doom would have been sealad.''

They watched the fire burn away a large tract of ground and tlnally disappear over the crest of the hill.

The Rambler travelP.d r.ear the ground for several days without her crew meetin!t anything but swarms of jackals.

A pair <'f them were easily taken by stunning them with a rifle ball, when they were thrust into a compartment of the cage.

Several other smnll animals were cat>tnred the same way. On the night of the fourth day after leaving the ship, they descend­

ed in a woods to replenish their water tank at a spring which Frank had seen trickling toward a large brook.

The Rambler paused in a large, rocky clearing, across which the spring stream ran.

Here Frank and Sbadrach alighted to try the water. As they stoopej over the lake to take a drink, the giant suddenly

gave a start of surprise, rose bolt upright and gazed around: "Thunderation!" he exclaimed. " Here's a discovery.'' "What do you mean!" asked Frank. 11 See that path that crosses the stream!" "Yes-what of it!" " It is made by animals t.hat come along here every night and pro-

ceed to the brook to drinl;." "Do you think this is a gootl place to wait for !!.'arne?" " The best place in the world. Ha, what's this!'' "A deer coming through the unaerbrush."

" Can you drop it without killing the beast?" "Yes," replied Frank, drawing a pistol. " Then try and we'll use it to bait larger game." Frank took careful aim at the beast and fired. It fell on its side, ldcking furiously, and Sbadrack run toward it,

reached tl.Je beast and knelt on its neck. The ball had partially stunned it. " Fetch me u rope!" cried the lion tamer. Franlc complied, and Lhey secured it around the animal's neck, and

by the time they finished it revived and arose. It struggled and fought to get away, but they dragged it along the

animal path to thtl edge of the brook where they tied it to a tree. 1'hen ~hadrach gathered a lot of large green leaves, and scraping a

thtck, sticky gum from some trees, he coated one side of many of the leaves with it.

Having prepared a great many of the leaves in tb!s way, be care-full.v laid them, gummy side up, over the path.

Frank watched htm curiously. " What are yon doing that forT" he asked. "I am convinced that lions frequent this path,'' answered the giant,

"and as the cries of the captive deer will lure them this way they will trea<l on these leaves. 1'hen you'll see some fun. The gum will make the leaves stick to their paws, and as lions are rather proud beasts, they will try to get the leaves off. That's when the circus will be­gin."

" I don't see bow.'' " Wait; you'll see fast enough. It's the native way of catching

them alive. All you and I need do now is to arm ourselves, climl> up a tree, wait and watch.''

" Bow about the Rumbler?" "Better send her away, as she might make them shy.'' They returned to the air-boat, and having procured some weapons,

they told Barney to take tile boat np in the air. Then they returned to the vicinage of the lion-trap, and getting up

in a huge baobab tree, they comfortably seated themselves. · Severn! hours passed by. The captive deer kept struggling to get free. Its cries were frequent nod plainttve. . Toward midnight a distant rumbling roar was beard. At first Frank thought It was a gorilla, but Sbadrach said: "You are mistaken. It's a lion. Be is coming this way.'' "Probably scents the deer, or hears its cry," suggested Frank. "More than likely both, for they have l\een ears." Tbey turned their glances toward the clearing down upon which the

moonlight was streaming, and presently observed the beast. It was a male of very large size, with a tremendous mane, an

elongated nose, and of a llne color. Be paused every few moments to vent a thunderous roar, and hold

his big head high in the air. Then on be came again, his eyes glaring like balls of fire, his btg

face turned in the direction the deere erie~ came from. Crossing the open Bpllce he reached the margin of the woods,

and crouching down, glared ahead. ?:"ben he crept forward, stooping close to the ground, and followed

the path toward tl:e brook. Frank and Shadrach remained watching him as qutetly a mice. His mane was l.Jristling now, for he saw the deer, and l1e stealthily

crep:. f.:>rward without mnking a sound, intent upon springing on t!Je captive beast, and devouring it.

In a few moments the lion reached the gummed leaves, and they began to adhere to his huge paws.

He paused, ra'lsed his paw~, and tried to remcve the leaves by rub­bing his leg against his bea1l.

The leaves left his paws, but stuck to his face. It worried him, for fresh leaves stuck to him, and as fast as he

brushed them off, they. adhered to his face, and he got others on. The leaves sticking to his face covered it till he actuall) blind­

folded t!mself.

CHAPTER Vll. HUMAN BAIT,

UPON finding himself getting more inextricably covered with the leaves thnn he was in the beginning, the lion began to whine, roar and stagger blindly.

He forgot the captive deer he was after, flung himself down, rolled on the ground, and pawed at his head to get rid of the leaves, bat only became more covered than before.

Then his pa~ience gave out, and he bounded to his feet and made a dash to run away, but lleing blinded, l:e plunged head first against a tree and was knocked sprawling.

His roars now became fierce, deep and terrible, for a panic over­came him, and he did not know what to do.

"Now we've got him!" chuckled Shadracb. "Be's getting bewil· dered. In a few minutes more hA will nearly be crazy.''

" Going down!" asked Frank, eagerly. " May as well see bow we can s€cure him.'' " All right-come nhead.'' And down from the tree they went. They found the frantic lion rushing abont wildly. ;He heard them, and was striving by every means in his power to

get rid of the sticky, blinding leaves. The lion-tamer released the deer.

,

8 FRANK ltEADE, JR., AND HIS ELECTRfC .AIR·BOAT.

Making a noose in the end of the rope that held the captive, be bold­ly approached the lion and made an attempt to lasso him.

Unluckily the rope knocked tile leaves from one side of the beast's lace, uucovering his right eye.

It let the ani •ual see Slladrach. A furious growl pealed hoarsely from its throat, it lashed its llanks

With Its tail, anti with one spring it reached the rhan. Striking against Shadruch's body tile brute knocked him down;

and opening its red mouth it made an attempt to bite him. But the lion·tamer did not flinch. He was too IIlllCh accustomed to handling these beasts to fear this

one, and quickly rammed his arm in its mouth, Down to its throat went his band. choking it, und the brute lindlng

it impossll•le to close its jaws recoiled. Shudrach did not let go or him, although his breast amlleg were cut

by the animal's claws in the first assault. "Reade!" he gasped, "cover his eyes!" Then he began to struggle with the beast, for it was fighting to get

the man's arm out or its throat. Had Shadrach not been a perfect giant, and possessed of the most

extraordinary strengtb, the beast would have torn h1m to p1eces in its furious struggles.

Frank seized SilVera! of the leaves, and rushing up to the monster, be clapped them over its eyeM again.

The hon was blinded once more. "Now, the rope-around Ilia leg!·' gasped Sbadracb. Frank secured it. I This done, the lion tamer withdrew his arm. A mighty roar escaped the brute, anll Shadrach took care to get

out of the animal's wny r:ow. The brute was fastened by the leg, and every time it made a rush

to get away they pulled its leg from under it. . "l'lllix him so he ?/on't have much life left in him!'' said the lion

tamer. "Hand me up tbe end or the rope, when I climb tliat tree, sir."

He mounted an onk, and Frank gave him the line. Shn<!racb passed it over a stunt branch, and taking the end down

on the other side, I.Joth be and tbe inventor began to haul. In this man uer the brute was pulled under the branch and then

hoisted up loy the leg until his nose was otf the ground. ·Fasteumg the end or the line to the tree trunk, Frank and Ilia com­

panion surveyed the beast. Every few moments he violently shook himself, and roared like

thunder, but he could not get down. The blood ~ept settling in IJis bead, and finally left him in a hnlf

stupid state. Fruuk ~hen went to summon the air-boat. He hnd scarcely renclisd the clearing, however, when he observed a

hug;e lionless rushing toward him. It was the mate or the one they had captured. Be barely had time to raise Ilia rille when the brute, uttering n

fioudish yell, crouched to spring at him. Frank tired. Up in the air leaped the beast. She fell lJeside tbe young invent-or, to all appearances dead. The Rambler had been liovermg over tbe spot, and Frank whistled

up to Barney ns a signal to lower ller. The Irishman obeyed. As she paused on the ground Frank was surprised to see that the

lioness had merely been stunned, as the ball had glanced orr her har<l ~knll, leaving only a gash.

He quickly rigged a tackle, with the nssistance of 1is friends hoist­~d the senseless brute aboard, and put her in the cage.

Here she afterward recovereel, feeling us well as ever. The Rambler was then raised and sent over to where the big male

bun~ by the leg from the tree branch. 'l'bey swung him over into tile door of the cage, cut the rope from

bis leg, and lockfld him in. He too, rapidly revived as the blood left his head. Poor Shaliracli was badly torn, and nt once rlreRsed his wounds. The n•r·boat wns then supplied with water, sent aloft, and started

for the coast, the two lions fighting like demons in the cage. " Shure there's only wan thing agin thim bastes," saia Barney. " And what may that be?'' asked Frank. " I didn't catch thim myself.'' "You'll have a chance to tnke a hnnd in to-morrow," laughed

Frank. " We saw some ostriches on the plaiu to·day, and I'm going to get a pair of tbose birds if I can."

The Rumbler llnnllv reached the coast. Here the animals were transferred to tbe ship nnd tliey ran back to

the lnnd again. It ramed hard the following two days, and n few small bt>asts were

cau!!;ht and taken to the sh1p. None or the birds were seen, and Frank steered the boat toward a

distant swampy jungle he had sighted previously. 'fhere was a river running through lt, hnlf hidden under a green

arcade of trees and bushes. As the boat drew near the place they beard a great shout below In

human voices and sr.w a nati-ve village. Th~ blacks were exoitedly pointing at the Rambler, a d as an idea

occurred to Frank, he cried: " I'm going to land down there and get the assistance of those peo·

pie if I can. Shaclrach, can you speak to them?'' " I'll try," replied tile lion-tamer.

I As the bont neared the ground be went to the rnil and. speaking in a dialect common to tbnt region, he called out something to tbe peo-

1 pie. An UQintelligible jargon of answers came bnck. Sbadrach shook his bend, for be did not understand them. For a moment it looked as if he could not mnke known what he hnd

to say to them. But at this juncture n black woman, holding n baby about two years

old in her nrms, answered him in the same dialect he used, saying she could spank to him.

She stated tbnt she was of n tribe tbnt spoke the language Shad· rncb used, but that the dialect of the villagers was dill:'erent.

'' What do you wnnt these people to do for you, RtJa<.i!lf'' adked tile lion tamer when he AXplained what was said.

" See If they will help me to get n crocodile out of the river, and if they will oll:'er them a lot of bends and copper wire."

Shatlrach told the woman what Frank said. " Yes, yes," she answered. "I can do that myself with this child.

But you must give the people presents too." "How liO you mean witli the child!" asked Shndrach. " Why, I will tie him by the leg to a &take near the river bank aa I

have often done before. His cries will hring the crocodiles out of the water to devour hiM. You must all be ready to kill the animals be· fore they can reach him."

Shadrncll told Frank what she said. " Tlint's the very plan I wus,nbout to propose to her," said the in·

ventor. " It is a common practice among these natives to catch crocodiles thnt way. Get 1he beads and wire Barney.''

" Yis, sor," replied the Irishman, and oft be went. They bad a large supply of trinkets aboard to be used for jnst such

an emergency as this, and lavishly sclrttered them among the villagers, thereby winning their friendship.

The Rambler was then landed near the river and Frank and Barney alighted and joined the negress. ,

She led them up the stream to a point where the shore was fiat, and paused at a stake half buried in the ground.

Tying the leg of the little coon to ~be stake, she lert it there and hastening away hid in some bushes.

Barney nnd Frank secreted Lhemselves. After a while tbo child missed its mother, and began to yell. It bowled and bawled, and gett!n~~: upon its banda and knees it

raised up its kinky little bead and stared around with tears streaming from its eyes.

This continued for some time. Then a number of huge crocodiles were seen on the surface of the

water swimming t'>ward the 8pot where the youngster was tied. Cmwling upon the shore, the scaly mon&ters crept up toward tile

screaming child, intent upon making a meal of it. Frank and Barney bad sunk almost to their knees in the mud, and

were vainly striving to extricate tlieir legs to rush up to the child. "We can't get out of this!" gasped the inventor. "Shoot tbern!" They raised their rifles and pulled the triggers. But no disc!1arge followed. It then llashed across their minds that they had forgotten to load

their rilles. A chill or intense horror ovArwhelmed them, for they snw the croco-

diles Within a few feet or the child. .

CHAPTER VIII.

CHASING A PHANTOM.

"HEY!" screamed Frank nt the w:>mnn. "Get that lmby, quick, or thOS9 beasts will eat lt alive!"

The black woman did nut understand wbat Frank sn1d, but she saw the peril IJer child was in and rusbed for it.

She was so near and ran so fast, tbnt she reached the infant before the slow-moving reptile!.!.

Fortunately she wos nrme<l. with a knife. With one gash .she severed the little one's bonds. Then she snatched him up and lied from the saurians. Frank by this time had lloundererl out or the mud, and hastily

loading his rille and gripping a stout rope, he ran around to the shore, followed by Barney.

Getting between the three crocodiles and the sbore, ~hey cut off the retreat or the animals bnck to the river. · As there is no joint in a crocodile's neck, the reptiles could not turn

their heads, and Frank, knowing this, lind not the least hesitation ap­proaching them.

Calling Barney over to the biggest one, which was laboriously turning around, the young inventor thrust thA barrtJI or IJis rille under the creature, and the Celt doing tbe snme, they, with a few boists, turned it over on its bnck.

In tliis position, on land, the creature was almost as helpless as a turtle under the same conditions.

·Another one was turned over, but the tbird escaped. Barney then hastened back to the air-boat, and telling Sbadrach

and Pomp what happened, the Rambler was steered over to where the saurians laid.

The tackle was used again, and thes were hoisted aboard and put into one of the cages.

By th1s time the woman and her child hnd vanished, and the clock chimed the bo!lr of twelve m the bont.

The rain had 3topped.

,,

FRANK READE, JR., AND HIS ELECTRIC AIR-BOAT. 9

A tremendous shouting of men reached Frank's ears from up the river bank some distance. • Fran~ raised the Rambler up in the air and CJbaerved a moat excit­

Ing scene up the river a short distanc.e. Half a dozen or t!Je natives wera engaged in a hippopotamus

hunt'. A herd of the beasts had been found enjoying themselves in the

water, and the negroes proceeded to attack them. They were armed with harpoons, with ropes tied to their ends,

while attached to the other ends or the liues were tloats to keep them at the top of the water.

Two of the negroes swam out to the herd. Approaching us near as possible, tbey barled their harpoons at the

animals and one missed, while the other struck a large bull. The beast be~:m to frantically struggle. With some 'dittlculty the other negroes attached a long line to the

float and proceeded to drug Ute beast to the shore. It required a tremendous haul, for the monster was one of the lar­

gest of ilB kind, tbe bulk of its body being little inferior tO that of an elephant.

Its belly almo@t touched the ground, as its legs were very short, its thick, dark-brown skin was covered with an oily tluid, its h11ad was large, with small eyes and eqrs, the muzzle tumid, and the great lips concealed its large front teeth.

The animal's voice was loud and barsb, sounding like the creaking and groan:ng of a wooden door.

By exerting all their power, the blacks s~cceeded in pulling him into sJ.tallow water.

Here be suddenly changed his tactics, and rushed on shore at tba men furiously.

They burled half a dozen lances into his open jaws. Piercing his tongue and mouth, they had but little effect, excepting

to enrage the animal all the more. The natives then scooped up sand in their bands, and tlinging it

int:> his glaring eses, caused him to retreat to the water, where be cleared them out.

Several times was this repented. The last time Ute animal charged on the blacks, 1t knocked two of

them down, and trampled them. Giving utterance to tile loudest screams, the poor fellows gave up

all hope of life. At tins juncture the air boat dashed up to them. Frank wus on the deck, anti witll a boat-hook be caught the har­

poon line, raised and seized it. Slip~'ing it around a cleak, be secured it, and as the boat pa9sed

on, the hippopotamus was dragged away !rom its two yelling victims. The animal tried to resist •be boat. It could not get away, however, and the natives hastily arose, and

the whole party run after it, prodded the brute witll their lance points, and compelled it to run with the boat •.

Tbev soon reacbed tile village. Here all the people came out to meet them. Surrounding the big beast, they testified to their delight by the ut­

terance of the wildest sboute. " Sbadrach, nsk them wbat they intend to do with the animal,''

said Frank to the lion-lamer. The giant shouted to the woman with the chiltl. She spoke to the negroes, and then said to him: "Th animal is yours, if you want it,.'' " We do," quickly replied Shadroch. "You have given us nice presents. We are satisfied." "Then we shall take it away." " Very well,'' said the negress. " Tell the men to pull the lances from its mouth." She complied, and our friends then started the R~ambler away. The hippopotamus was bound to (oil ow the boat, for when It failed to

do so the rope tightened and it sufl'ered tbe most intense pain from the harpoon imbeddP.d in its body.

In this manner they finally succeeder! in reaching the coast with their prizes and safely got them on the ship.

They found the crew busily employed lndmg the snip with such food as the animals required, with the assistance or some natives, who bau been bribed to work for them.

On the following day they took their departure for the plains. Barney was at the wheel, and the others were down in the cabin,

as the Ram bier ran out over a stretch or desert land. Far ahead the Irishman saw the figures of several ostriches. They seemed to be running along swiftly, and be steered the air­

boat alter tltem at the t:Jp of her speed. "Bedali, I'll catch tbim afore I opens rna mouth ter any wan!'' ex­

claimed Barney, with a grin. " Will wan puclc in tber neck av tiler bow, I'lllmocl< thim haytheR roosters sinceless."

He kept his eyes upon the scrambling figures, without noticing that Pomp had come in behi~:~d him.

Tl:e coon leveled a glass at the figures, and bis thick lips stretched from ear to ear in a terrific grin.

At that moment the boat was shooting along at the rate or a mile a minute, but to Barney's surprise he did not observe that he gained any on the birds.

" Falx, it's loightnin' express thrains they bees!" be growled in perplexed tones. " Whoiver heard av tbim koind av basteil roonin' as last as that afore?"

Unable to keep quiet any longer, Pomp uttered a chuckle. Barney beard it, and glanced around with a scowl on his race, for

his temper was sadly ruttled by the want of success be had to over­take the birds.

" Wbat'R boitin' yer, yer painted babl.Joon!" he growled. "Oh, golly! Yo' fink yo' kin ketch dem yer chickens!" " I will, be hea.vens, if I busht me b1ler doin' it!" " Yo' can't!" flatly asserted the coon. " Arrah, it's conlidiuce yez has entoirely." " Fo' shuah, chile." " I'll bet money on it.'' " Done go yo', honey." "Have yez much nfoney te lose, nagur?" "Spec's dar's fo'teen dollabs m dis wad," said Pomp, producing

the roll. "It's moine! Hand it over widout throyin' ter win.'' "G'way dar, Irish I Wba' you'se dream in'! Put up de scads!" Barney covered the amount in a twinkling, for he thought be had a

regular walk-over. Then he put on every extra volt of electro-rr.otive force the machin­

ery could generat\1, and steered as straight as a rule for the Jlying lig­uras.

A roar of mirth escaped Pomp. He seemed to be immensely !ickled ov~r something. The frown deepRned on B11rney's brow, and be ground his testb, fo:­

the birds seemed to he just as far away as ever. He bad the air-boat IJuoming; along at a terrific pace, !lnd did not

lose an inch of ground. " B~dad, I'll have thi m yitl" he hissed. "Den yo' hab ter run de yudder way," laughed Pomp. "Is it looney yez are!'' · "Go long! Mean jist wot I say, chile." "Do yez take me fer a crab ter go backwarcl?" "No, but you'se cbasin' a ghost." -"A ghost is it?" "Fo' shuabl Oat am a mirage!" " Howly mackerel!" Barney grabbed a spy glass nod examined the blrd's figures. 'l'o his chagrin be saw that the coon told the truth. He had been chasing a shadow. Pomp pC\inted back the way they came from. Barney looked out the rear window. There were the birds whose reflected images he had been pursuing

. racing away m the opposite direction. Pomp bad been playing a practical joke upon tum, but had, of

course, won the bet, and it made him wild. "Be heavens, I'm a jackass!" be groaned. "Pomp, ye divil, kick

me!''

CHAPTER IX. THE ARABS' I'REY.

NoT to lose the birds, or which there were three, Barney turned the Rambler around and started her orr after them.

They were running to the northward at the rate or twenty·eight miles an hour, their maBBive legs going so fast that the outline could not be seen, and their short wings spread to catch the wind.

Having acute si!!bt, the ostriches could see for a distance of six miles, and evidently observed the air·boat.

She was soon making a mile a minute. Rapidly overhauling the nxcited birds, she bore down upon them,

and drew so near that the Irishman co:;ld see the maguilicent feathers of the male birds.

The barbules in them do not adhere together as is the case with the feathers on almost all other birds.

Frank and Shadrach came up to the pilot·house. "W!Jat are you after?" asked the inventor. "Canaries,'' replied Barney, with a grin. 1

" Why, ostriches! Wben did you Rcure them up?" " Just now. It's race horses they are wid their legs." " Few horses can catch them. See 11 I can lasso a pair.'' He procured a line and went out on deck. . One or the birds seemed to have lost all hope, for it suddenly pl!.used

at a. bush and buried its bead in it. The stupid creature imagined its entire body was hidden, and thus

thought it would escape the bunters. "Stop the boat!" called Frank. " D'yer moind ttJat wa.n boidin'," replied Barney. " Pomp, come out and help me!" " Fa1th, it's a dandy ther nagur is at liftin' chickens.'' "G'way dar!" growled Pomp. " Want yo' neck broke?" He alighted with Frank a moment a.lterwartls. They appro11cbed the ostricb quietly, but the bird's bearing was as

marvelous as its sight. No sooner were they close to it when the bird arose and dealt Pomp

a terri~c ldck. A yell escaped the coon. Ha was knocked over like a ten-pin. The kick or an ostrich Js sometbing terrific. A ·deep, hollow roar escaped the bird, not unlike a lion's cry. Then it began to utter a sort of cackling ~ound, and as its rage in­

creased, it hissed very loudly and violently kicked at Frank. He harely had time to escape it!) hoof by springing back, and then

spread the open noose of the lasso on the ground. Retaining the end of the line in his band, be rushed up .to the bird

to invite a second attacK.

10 FRANK READE, JR., ANE> l':IIS ELECTRIC AI&-BOA'l'.

It was thoroughly aroused. Spreading its wings, it dashed at him furiously. He recoiled quickly, and the moment its feet were in the circle of

the noose, be gave the line a sudden jerk and haul. Instantly the legs of the bird were I,inioned. Attempting to run away, it pulled the noose tighter and its legs

being bound together it trlppeu and fell. By this time Pomp bad risen. He was groaning dismally. " Come here and help mel" cried Frank. '" Ain't gwine neab <lat animile!'' the coon replied. " You must lend me your aid! Hurry up." "Golly! l'se got de bull front ob my stomach kicked otr."

1 "Bold this end of the line!" Frank thrust it in his hand. Then be rushed up to the fallen bird. He wound the line around its legs and tied i~ faa~

b The ostrich was caught. " Bring the boat here, Barney!" he shouted. The Irishman obeyed. As soon as it was close enough, Frank and Pomp seized the bird,

and lifted it upon the deck where Sbadracb. and Barney thrust it into the cage.

Tb.e coon and the inventor then mounted the air boat. " After the others!" cried Frank. "But it'R tin moile away they bes!" said Barney. "You can easily head them ofi:" " How's that!" asked Barney. " Don't you see that ostriches run in a curve?' "I d;) that," said tb.e Irishman, noticing it for the first time. "They never run in a straigh~ line. That's the only advantage a

bunter or horseman has to get in gun range." Otf shot the air-ship in hot pursuit. Tile two remaining birds were l!cud(ling along swiftly, and yet by

cuttmg across the curve they were describing 1t was an easy matter to bead them oft:

In a short time the Rambler reached the nearest one. ]!'rank bad another lasso ready. He stood on the forward deck. As the Rambler shot up to the bird, Frank cried: ''Slacken sreed, Barney!" '' Slower she goes!" •• Hold her alongside the bird!" "Howld her it is!" Whizz! w11nt the lasso as Frank spoke, the noose settied over the

bead and long neck of the, cackling bird, and the next moment it was secured. '

Frank hauled the line tight. The bird's neck was pull ell up close to the side of the deck. Here Frank fastened the line. " B~M"ney, stop the boat I" !Je cried. Tba 'Celt complied. · It was now impossible for the ostrich to move. The Rambler o.nc!Jored her where she stood. "Thunderation, w!Jat a catch!" laughed Shadrnch. " Go down and tia his legs!" said Frank, to the lion tamer. As soon as this was done, the bird was pulled up on the boat, and

put with the other one. The third ostrich had gone running away, but they did not molest

it, as they bad n1l they wantt>d. As they glanced in the direction taken by the bird, they caught sight

of seTeral Arabs driving two zebras before them over the desert lands. .

Frank at once steered the boat toward them. As they drew closer to the nomads who were mounted on fiery

steeds and yelling furiously, thi!Y saw them burl t!Jeir lances at ono of the animals. .

Tha weapons pierced its body, and one of them striking the beast in the shoulder sent it dow11.

A triumpb.aot sb.out burst from the wild riders, and they dashed up to their prey and surrounded it.

The other zebra was speeding off like the wind, its white body with black stripes lending it a sin~alar look.

"Say! are you going to tackle that animal!" asked Shadrack. "Yes. It is seldom they ure found out of the billA and most inac·

cessible places," said Frank. "It won't do to miss this chance." "But the Arabs own him.'' "Not until they catch the beast." "Tbey'l! dispute onr claim to it.'' •• Let them. I'm going to have the animal." The Arabs had secured the quagga and were pointing at the air·

ship which sped close to the ground. In the distance was a woods. The beast was heading for it. · " Did you ever bear of creasing a mustang?" asked Frank. " That's done by the cowboys in western America.'' "Yes, Shndrach. l'm going to crease tilat zebra." "Do you think you can do itT" •· I'm going to make an efi'ort.'' Frank took an ordinary cartridge rifle. Leveling it at the zebra he tired.

1 The ball sped true to its mark. ! l It was aimed at a particular sinew in the creature's neck just above

where the Bf.ine joined the skull, and the effect was to temporarily paralyze the animal without doing it any vermanent wjury.

The zebra went down as if it were felled with an ax. Up to it flew the Rambler. Frank just bad time to drop a lasso over its neck, when the zebra

recovered, arose 1\nd sped away agai11. The inventor tied the rope to' a ring bolt in the bow. " Barney, back the boat!" be cried. The Irishman carried out this order, but the strength of the animat

was greater than the screws, and it dragged the air-boat along a~ if n. were a feather.

Frank saw that it was useless. " Drop her to the ground!" be continued, This wag done. It nncborecl the animal. The zebra kicked, reared and plunged. It could not get away though, and the noose choked it. This continued tor some time, when Pomp chanced to glance back,

and gave a start. " Fo' de Lawd's sake!" l!e gasped. "See dar, :liiarse Frank.'' "What's the matter?" queried the inventor. "Dem Arat> niggahs done comin'." Frank now saw the wihl riders. They were plunging swiftly toward the air-'Joat. On they came, the1r lances glitteri:Jg in the sunlight and their flow­

ing robes fiutteri:lg m Lhe breeze. It was very evident that they disputed our friends' possession of

the zebra, for no sooner did they arrive iu range, when they began t() fire at them with the long rifles they bad been carrying slung on their backs.

As the whistling bullets flew around the occupants of the Rambler, they rushed inside to get out of danger.

CHAPTER X.

CAGING AN ENEMY.

"HowLY beans! Shall I raise t.her Rambler in ther air?'' "No, Barney!" cried Frank, his eyes !lashing resentment. "T()

d:> that we would bave to cut the zebra loose and I am determined t() hold it."

"T!Jose galoots will destroy the air boat if you don't," said Shad­rach.

"Gimme a gun," Pomp roared. "I isn't gwine ter stan' dem shots no mo'. Wba' de mattah w1£ youse-gettin' skeered ob dem nig­

. gabs?" " Pomp bas got my ideas exactly,'' cried Frank. " Arm yourselves -

and repel the Arabs ere they commit any more mischief." The crash acd jingle of glass windows breakiug before the rifle

shots of the Arabs hastened their movements. In a few minutes all were armed. Frank drew t11e shutters over the windows of the wheel room. They contained severai loopholes and protectetl the four Inmates of

the '.>oat for the Arab's tmllets fiat tened against the metal plates. Manning the loopholes, our friends began to discharge their rifles

at tbeir .aggressors. One of the horses was shot from under them, but the rider nimbly

landed on !lis sandaled feet, and crouching behind the body of the dead beast, continued to lire.

A ball struck one of the Arabs and shattered his arm. His yells of pain could have been !Jeard a great distance away as he

rolled on the ground. The other men scattered. All were magnificent riders, and hanging over on the side of their

horses furthest removed from Frank and his friends, they protected themselves with their animals' bodies.

In this manner they got away to a safe distance, while the wounded man and the' one who had been ('.roucbing behind the cascass of t~e dead horse, arose, took to their heels and followed their friends.

"The victory is ours," said Frank. ''Let them go" "Shwre it's tber shtroipad mule is ours, yez mane,'' laugbe<l

Barney. "We haven't get tht> varmint aboard, yet," Sbadrac!: said. " How yo' gwine ter git him?'' askeu the coon. " Sling him!'', replied Frank. "Is it a Hercules yez think we are?" asked the Celt. "Be means to use a sling and hoist him," the lion tamer laughed. "Ohl" said Pomp, who, like Barney, imagined Frank meant tOo

pitch the zebra aboard by means of their bands alone. " Dot's differ­ent.''

The animal had almost exhausted itself with its violent exertions to get away, and now was an almost passive victim.

Witboot much difficulty they got him aboard, and into the cage. As tbe flying machine was so heavily ballasted that she coold only

rise a dozen feet !rom the ground, they sent her J_lying for the coast. and finally reached tiJe ship. ,

Depositing their cm:go aboard of her, they were startled to learn that a ship bad mane an attack upon the Black Bass the night before. but was repulsed With the signal gun.

"Whnt was the object of the attack!" queried Frank, in surprise. " She is a slaver," the captain replied. " Her crew were all Arabs

but one. He was a white man, and demanded our surrender. He seemed to know all about us, much to our surprise.''

"Describe him," said Frank, with a frown.

/

FRANK RI<JA.DE, JR, AND HIS ELECTRIC AIR-BOA.'l'. 11

" He had a mop of dark hair, a bristly black mustache, and I heard one or the Arabs cell him Sim Nixon--"

"ThunderatlOu!" roared Shadracb, "it's your old enemy!" "Yes, Barnum's discharged animal bunter, who was trying to

smash this machine, so it could not be used to gRt these wild IJeasts for the circus. Wlum be escaped from Burney and Pomp on the way to the police station, he must have cross~::d the sea and made his way to some point where he fell in with those Arabs."

" But why did he want this vessel?" the captain asked. " To bring the animals to Barnum, J presume, aD(\ get paid the

money otrerod for er.ch one or pair caught." " Ay, uy, that must have been it." " Whut became of them!" " They sailed down the coast," replied the captain. Frank foresaw trouole with the man, and resolved to go and look

fqr him ere he could do the Black Bess any injury. The air-ship was accordingly sent over the water. It was then early morning, and a keen lookout was maintained for

some signs of tl.Je ship, of which Frank had a description. She wa~ sighted lute in the afternoon lying at ancl.Jor in a small

bay on the coast. 'l'he Rambler desoended toward her. Long before she swooped down from the shy, the crew of the ship

saw her, <.~n<l excited by her appearance, were earnestly talking t.o Sim Nixon, who understood their language.

Tl!e rascal then bid himself iu the cabin. Frank bad observed his action, however. The young inventor was a line linguist, and when the air-ship came

to a pause above the slana, be shouted in Araluc: "I want to speak to .the white man you have on board." " Tbere is uo such person on this ship," the captain rep lie:.!. "You tell a falsehood, for I saw him enter the cabin. "Well," replied the Arab, coolly, "you cannot see him.'' "Persist iu your refusal and I shall burn him from his lair." "Baht we have no fear of you!" "Very well; you'll see,'' said Frank, grimly. He passed inside and picked up a small metallic frame to which

two insulated wires were secured at one t-ide, while on the other two carbons were ~et so their points almost touched.

One of the wires was secured to the battery IJinding post. Frank handed the other wire to Pomp and saio: " When I give you the wont touch this wire to that binder.'' "Yassah," replied the coon. Going out on deck with the frame Frank lowered it towa~d the deck

of the slave ship. Fearing it was dangerous the Arabs made a rush for it. "Now, Pomp!" cried Frank. Several dusky hands were outstretched to grasp the frame. Just then the coon flashed the current into it. An enormous !>all of blinding !lame sputtered from the carbons,

and with a yell, as it llurnt their fingers, the Arabs rushed back. Down continued the flame. It swung against the cabin door. Instantly the woodworK was l!!;nited. Along the edge of the callin roof ran the sputtering fire, lighting

the wood, and the Arabs grasped their buckets, drew water, dashed it at the lire, and yelled at Nixon to come out.

Tbey feared that a continued refusal to produce the man would re. suit in t.be burning of the ship.

Nixon appeared with a scowl on his face. He shook his fist at Frank and yelled furiously: " What do you want of me?" "I wish to have you aboard this vessel," Frank replied, coolly. " Well, you won't get me." " Fooll Do you wish to tlie?" "You dare not kill me!" "Don't be too confident! I'll blow that craft to fragments if you

don't surrender yourself to me!" Just then the Arabs, having procurtld some weopons, beg11n to dis-

chllrge them up at·ths Rambler. Her metal hull resisted them. "Pomp!" Said Frank. "Wha am it, sahT'' " Bring me a grenade.'' "Yas, sah." The coon llastbned inside. He soon returned with a homo. Frank hurled it down at the ship's deck. The missile struck in the midship section abaft of the .mast. Here it tlXploded with a tremendous roar. A huge aperture was blown tl!rough the deck, the debris !lying

around in n shower. The howl that arose from the ternfied slavers was tremendous. A !lying piece of timber hit Nixon ou tbe head and knocked him

senseless upon the deck. "Lower the Rambler!" Frank sang out. This was done. She paused beside the ship. Boarding the slaver, the inventor dragged Nixon on the Rambler. "Now, yon fellows, dare to attack the animal-ship again!" he

shouted at the Arabs,'' and I'll blow your vessel to pieces.'' They all protested that they wouldn't. Frank then caused the Rambler to return to the Black Bess.

Here he gave the captain au account of what he had done and put Tim 'Nixon in an animal cage for safe keepin~.

The next day the Rambler returned to the land. She spent several days in search of animals snch as they wanted,

Barney playing his fiddle, and Pomp his baujo during off hours to pass away the time.

A pair or hyaenas, a gnu, two buffaloes and an ibex goat were caugllt, carried to the ship, and the R11mbler then ran up to the northward toward Lake !chad iu Bornu, in pursuit of a herd of giraffes, but they escaped m a woods.

A native whom they encountered told Shadrs.ch that some ele­phants bad been seen in tl!at vicinity.

It was late in the night of the second day after leaving the Black Bess when the air-ship neared the lake-a clark body of water, sur­rounded by the w1ldrot scenery and most rank vegetation.

"Shudracb, lower the boat on the shore," said Frank. " Going to stop here?" asked the lion-tamer. " For to-night. Fllepbants ~enerally bold out near the lakes.'' Sbadrach nodded and pulled the lever to slacken the speed of tho; 1

screws, when an awful report wns heard down below in the hold. The shock of the explosion knocked the boat spinning tbrough the

air and she landed. in the lake with a mighty upheaval or the water.

C.liAPTER Xf. TRAPPINO AN ELEPHANT,

EvERY one on the Rambler was knocked senseless by the violent action or the air-bout.

She was lifty feet in the sky when the explosion occurred, and only her fall in the lake saved her from utter destruction.

After striking she sunk, but her boat-like form caused her to rise imrne(hataly to the surface.

Here she !louted buoyantly. Full half nn hour passed ere Frank revived. He had struck his head on the tloor in falling. He found Sbadracb senseless but uninjured. Rushing down below, he observed that all the lights wer out. Knowing where to lind a lantern he got it, struck a li'gllt and made

an examination. The floor of the engine room at one end was blown to pieces, show­

ing the bare bull of metal underneath. Above, tlle wires were broken, one of the wheel shafts was down,

and the dynamo was knocked over. Barn11y and Pomp lay among the wreckage.alive, but badly cut and

bruised, avd Frank dragged them out. He saw that the hull was intact and would float. Wbat the reason of the explosion was he could not think, but he

detectPd a gassy odor in the air tbat plainly indicated tbat it bad something to do with the shock.

llnuling his friends up-stairs, be found the bon tamer sitting up, rubbing the back of his head.

"Tbunderation! Wbat was it, Reade?" Sha<!rach gasped. ,.. Heaven only knows. Baud me that whisky bottle. "Is Barney dead!" asked the lion tamer, complying. "No, sensAless. Are you 0. K. ?'' "Yes, thank goodness, but I got a horrible thump on the head." " Go down in the engine room and bring Pomp up." Sbadracb aroae and carried out Frank's request, and the inventor

worked upon ~be Irishman to revive l.Jim. This was finally accomplished. Barney was groaning dismally. "I'm a. dead marn-l'm a. dead marnl" he kept saying. "How did this occur?" asked Frank. "Sbure, I let a llomb shlip out uv me !:and ter ther flure." "Your carelessness mi,!!'ht have cost our lives." "I know it," groaned Barney. "I'm sorry it didn't.'' " Sorry?'' asked Frank, in surr,rise. " Yis. Then I'd a-got hung, bad cess ter me!" Frank had to laugh, despite the seriousness of the case. Tbe lion-tamer now carried Pomp in and carefully laid him down on

the sofa. "Gin!" gasped the coon. "I want gin!'' "Here's whisky, poor slob,'' pityingly su1d Shadrach. '' Dat'll do, Marse Shadrach," and Pomp took a long poll. Barney eyed the coo:; enviously. Then he began to ~;roan harder thnn ever. " What's the matter~'' qu!1stioned Frank. " It's a shpasm I have!'' gasped the Co:lt, making a horrible face. "Lord! I hope you ain't in,'ured internally!" "In!erMllyf Be heavens, l'm booked fer me grave. Ob-oucb­

this pain in me kidney! Gimme whisky-quick-a bucket av it!" Frank grasped the bottle, and a gurgle emanated from the Celt's

lips as he took a swig. Pomp now begun to writhe. " Sen' fo' a Mefo cu~· preacher!" be bowled. "What ails you?'' roared Sbadrach, 10 startled tones. "Gosh amigbty, I'se gwiue ter hub a tit." " The deuce you are!" "Liquor-liquor! Hurrvi l'se faintin'!" He rolled his eyes, humped up bis back, and kicked his legs in the

air. Sbadrach glanced at him a moment, and then it began to dawn upon

his miod that Barney anti Pomp were a pair of frauds. They were evidently playing hun and Frank for the whisky.

12 FRANK READE, JR., AND HIS ELECTRIC AJR.BOAT.

He took the bottle from Frank. "Ope11 your mouth!" said he. Pomp's gash gaped wide and his convulsions ceased. But instl'at.i or giving him any more liquor, the hon·tamer quietly

jammed a big sponge in the opening. "I think you've got enough to start a beer saloon," he remarked. "Amn't y.J' gwine fo' ter doctab me!" roared P.omp, as he pulled

out the sponge and glared at Sballrach. " If I did you'd die. ·• "Wba'-wha'-wha' yo' say?" "I've given you poison by mistake." " Whoop!" roared Pomp. " Murdher!" yelled Barner. And witli one spriug they were upon their feet. They grabbAd each other with looks of horror on their faces. Frn.nk saw the jol;e and now cbirned in: "So ypu have, Shadracb. Tbut's the bottle with strychnine in it.'' "Sen' fo' Je undahtakab!" howled the~:oou, dancing up and down. ''Ouch! I fule it burn in' me btor.chiul tulle!" watled Barney. "neavens, wh~t a mistake!" said Shndrnch, in dismal tones. " Dreadfull" added Frank, gravely ilhaking his bead. "Have yaz a stomach poomp!" roared Barney, Imploringly. "Gimme sumpin' ter make me gag!" pleaded Pomp. It was very evident by their frisky actions that nmther or them were

burt as badly as they tmngined they were. Frank burst out laughing at them. It burt Bamey's feelings dreadfully. " Begorry it's glud ypz are we're kilt!" he cried, reproachfully. " Get outl" chaffed ShaJrach. " But luck at ther mugs nv yez!" "We were only tooling.'' "Foolin', is itr· " Yes, you ain't poisoned at all." , ,

1 Barney and Pomp cooled off. They saw that they had been hoaxed. "That's wun on me!" said tile Celt, dryly. "I'se gwine ter crawl in a knot hole, au' pull de hole in aftah me,"

added Pomp, in tones or t.he greatest mortil!catiou. Tllen they left the room, for Frank au1 \he lion tamer were laugh­

ing immoderately at them. An examination of tbe damage having beec made, they set to work

geLLing the boat in repair av;uin. It was a wonder to ull hands that the bursting bomb had not blown

the boat to p1eces . Still, it had done enough damage to keep them busy several hours,

and when they finally completed the work, the lights shone out again, and the power or tbe boat was regained.

Rising !rom the water, she landed on the shore, and remained there until the following day.

A search or the neighborhood was made, and our friends found the tracks of elephants some distance away.

Wblle they were so engaged, Barney and Pomp found a good-Billed chamelion and tJrought it l!ack to the boat.

They had scat·cely deposited the horrible brute in the cage when thfly were starteu lly a tremendous trumpetinv; sound.

It was follower! by a craclding of the twinge uud bushes, and as the startled pair glanced around, they caught sight of an enormous elepLant.

The monster had come plunging from the jungle, ami was rushing straigl1t toward the air-lloat.

Barney imagined he was charging on the Rambler, and rushing into the pilot-house he started the screws.

The buzzing sound they made seemed to startle the beast. It paused and fastened its vicious little e~es upon the machine as it

shot in the air. Up went the Rambler twenty-live feet. .Here Barney&stopped her. She hovered directly above the elephant. " Pomp!" roared the Irishman. "H:~llo dar! Wha' yo' want?" replied the coon. '' Dhrop a bombshell on ther spalpeeu." "Am yo' gwine ter take her back in sections!" "Troth it's no s:ch llaste we kin v;it in ther cage." "Wbar am Marse Frauk an' ole Shadrach!" "Beyant in ther joongle hoidin', I fancy.'' Pomp lool<ed down at the elephant. He had plunged into the muddy shore of the lake. There he was pulling up the lotus leavea with his trunk. Devouring some, he l!ung other tufts over his IJUck, and then

celltJerately )Jlustereu himself with mud. R1s obJect was to coat Ius hide with an armor against the l!ies and

mosquitoes tbat were anuoying him. Ever and anon he glanced furtively at the singular air-ship llontiug

above him, lookiug as if very suspicious o! it. Just then Frank and the lion tamer emerged !rom the jungle, nod

the etephant cau~ht sight o! them. He raised his head, elevated hts big enrs, then made a sudden rush

for them as if intent upon their destruction. Mighty in his strength, and instinctively knowing they were ene·

mies, tt.e b~ast was bent upon killing them. "Masther Frank!" roared Barney. "dhall we kill him?" "No! No' We must capture him alive.'' "Be heavens he'll assassinate yez." " Leave him to us.''

They calmly watched the elephant chargirg on them, and when he was coming full tilt., they retreated at a run.

Bebind them was a mass of timber and twigs, dead leaves and o~her rubbish, covering a certain area of ground.

They ran over it. In hot pursuit the elephant followed. But scarcely was he well upol! it, when there came a crush. It was the coveri~ or a pit fall some natives bad prepared and the

monster went down in the trap and disappeared.

CHAPTER XII.

THE GIRAFFES,

FRANK and Shadrach had reached the opposite side of the pit-fall when the fliepbant crashed through, !Jut while the lion tamer gained ~olid ground, the inventor fell in witb the beast.

Half buried in a mass of timber Frank fell into the deep excavation and a quantity of the rubbisli fell upon him.

The logs a:1d stones struck and bruised him, and he was half stun­ned by r.lle blows he received on the head.

He was tinnily aroused by the elephant. Fortunately it was not injured, us is frequently the case when pit·

falls are employed to capture them, and getting himself out or the rubbish he llegau to puff aud trumpe' loudly.

'l'he mighty beast rustled around and around the pit in an effort to get out but !ailed to do so, as high walls surrounded him on all sides. •

In making one of these circuits he passed over Frank. The youug inventor saw the mighty body looming above him, and

expected every moment to feel the enormous feet come down and crush him. '

Luckily be escaped it. • Rising to his feet he looked upward.

The pit was ten feet deep, and thinking he might get out of it by means of one of the tree trunks, be laid one from the bottom up agai nat the side wall.

He then attempted to climb up. Unfortunately the elephant saw him. Proballly attritJutmg its present trouble to Frank it charged on him,

and he just had time to drop !rom the pole when tbe llrute struck it. The pole was sent llying. Had lle been on it he would have been killed. Just then the air· ~oat nppeureli above the pit bll. "Masther Frank!" yelled Barney. " Help me!" shouted the inventor. " Catch this rope!" A long, sinuous rope came down in the pit. Frank grasped it. · The elephant rusbed at him again. Defore it reached him Pomp sent the Rambler up in the air. Frank was swiftly raised from the ground, and just as ~be elephant

reached the spot where he had been he passed beyond Its reach, and luntled on. the upper ground.

The air boat then descended. A consultatiou ensued among the quartet. It was deemed best to leave the monster where b& was a fbW dayR,

and starve him Into docility. "But suppose the fellows who made this pitfall retarn?" said Shad·

rach. " They will take him away." " It looked to me like a very old trap!" Frank replied. " But if it

is not abandoned, t!Je ones wllo built it have the first pnvilege to take the brute."

" Specs yo' am right," said. Pomp. " D'yez mane ter shtay hPre till he's tame!" nskea Barney. "No," promptly replied Frank. "We can go scouring the country

for the giraffes we were after.'' They then boarded the Rambler, She was sent up in the a1r. Two dayl! passed by without any of the animals they were after ap.

pearing in sigh L. The muchme l!oated toward a dense copse or woods toward night­

fall, with Pomp at the wheel, when suddenly the coon startled his companions by yelling:

"Dur dey am-dar dey ami" "What do you me~n!" cried Frank, down below. " Dar's fille horses about twenty-fo' han's high chawin' de leaves

otl'en s~;me mimosa trees ya!lder.'' Frank hastened up-stairs from the supper tahle. One glance out the window showed him a herd of the giraffes only a

mile away. Some were browsing the .scant herbage, and others were plucking

the choicest leaves from the trees with their long tongues, w:hile one of them was lying down.

Not one of them measured less than fifteen teet from t1u1ir heads to their front cloven hoofs.

They were of a reddiRh white color, marke<l by numerous dark, rusty spots, their enormous necks had short manes, the skulls were surmounted by shor~ protuberances like horns, covered with skin and hair, and terminatmg in long, bard bristles.

As sorn as the creatures saw the boat their natural timidi~y assert. ed itself, and they started to run away.

Instead or trying to get into the woods, where the Rambler could not have followed them, they sped away over the plains.

)

•

I

FRANK READE, JR., AND HIS ELEC'l'RIO AIR-BOA'!'. 13

Their beads, poised at the top of their long necks, swuyell back and forth as if they were lame.

Giratres go faster than horses. Yet they did not seem to exert themselves any. 'l'he Rambler sped ulonll: after them. An exciting chase then ensued, for the herd kept bunched, and

momentarily increased their speed. · Along swept the 1ying mnchine, her two big driving wheels spin•

ning furiously at the ends of the two shafts. "Thundtration! How they can run!" admiringly cried the lion­

tamer. " 1 never saw such speed before!" " We are fl".aking ti.Jirty miles an hour," said Frank, as he glanced

at the speed regi~ter. " Faith, we're ~aiuin' on thim at that too,'' Barney added. "How yo' gwine ter cotch 'em!" asked Pomp. "I'm going to get a pair or them witi.J lassos.'' Frank procured two lines with nooses in them as he spoke and

handed one to Burney. He then went out on deck with the Celt. The speed or the Rambler Wa9 increased. She swiftly forged up to the animals. Frank ball taken UIJ a position on the starboard side, and the Irish-

man stood on t.he port sille. "I'll ring two av thim wid war; fling!" cried Barney. •• Lower the Ramhler to within ten feet of the ground!" cried Frank. 1 "Yassah," answertJll the coon, doing as he was told. Whirr! went Frank.'~ hne the next moment. He missed the girafl'e, and the Celt flung his lasso. Barney was more fortunate. His noose settled over the neck of one of the beasts. Unluckily for him the girafl'e started off at an at1gle, and gave the

line a jerk that caused Bamey to lose his bala.uce. A yell escaped the Irishman ns hij fell from the boat, but the next

moment he lauded on the giratl'e's llack, and flwging both arms around its neck, retained his position.

" Whoop!'' he yelled; " I have him!" The hind quarters of these animals are much lower than the fore,

and if the Cel:. had not held on tenaciously, he would have slid ofl' at its long tail.

Away dashed the giraffe bearicg Barney off. He got astride or its neck-base, and wrapping both arms aroacd ·1t,

be maiutained his positlon. The lasso had fallen to the ground, and was then being trailed along

after the flying animal. Frank saw what happened. He also ollserved that B:.rney was safe. "Keep on after the others, Pomp!" he cried. "But wha' yo' gwme ter'do fo' Bahney-?" "He's all right. We'll attend to him afterward." Fruuk gathered up his lasso, and Jet it tly again. This tilntJ the loop ftlll over the aDlmal's head. The other end of the line wa~ secured to the boat in a twinkling, and

Frank sung out: "Now, dro!J ber to the ground!" Down sunk the air boat, the screws and wheel& stopping, and she

landed upon her flanges~ The girafl'e was brought to a sudden pause. It backed up to the air· boat and let its heels drive. So fast w11re its kicks that the eye could not follow them. They rattled against the metal hull of the Rambler in a tattoo not

unlike the roll of a drum. . The animal plunged, raced around and made every effort to burst

its bonds, bot f111led to succeed. Armed with a short rope, Frank alighted wit.h Shadrach. Waitina until the giratl'e had exhausted itself and lay down to rest

they eact:' took one end of the line and approached it. Without much difficulty the rope was tied to its front and hind fet·

locks so short that its stride was diminlsll£d. Tllat prevente(li:s kicking. Nor could it run. In the meantime Barney had been carried on for considerable

distance, and the three remaining giraffes escaped. Getting accustomed to his n?vel position, Barney began to rattler

enjoy the ride he was getting. " Begob, I'm a jockey!" he muHered. "It's wan av these oastes

I'll tame, bring: to Ameriky, an' inther in wan av ther races. I'd wln ivery toime, an'-oh-h-hl"

The giraffe had stepped on the rope trailing from its neck. It tripped itself. Down It went with a crash. Barney was sent flying through the air. He landed on his forehead and gave it such a bard bump that he

was deprived of his senses. The rope had got caught in the split hoof or the girafl.e, and the

animal was unable to get it out. lt struggled furiously. But all to no purpose. It could not get up again.

CHAPTER Xlll. A VERY DANGEROUS BRU1'E.

HAVING secured the girafle to the air boatr Frank soon discovered bow Barney had fared.

He tied up the Irishman's animal, revivell Barney, and they then drove the teast oter tu the Rambll'r.

Here both giraffes were tied side by side so they could neither kick nor run away, alter which a single halter was secured to their necks and tied to the boat.

She was started for the elephant pir'. Dragged unceremoniously alter her, the giraffes were compelllld to

follow and they finally landed near the trap. On the following morning the elephant was fed by Frank. They remained there several days taming the big beast, and finally

got it so that they could handle it fearlessly. The one who .built the pit !aU dld not come to claim it nod they fin·

ally secured the beast as the giralles "''ere. A slanted road b~d was then laid down, anti the elephant was led up

out of the pit. With such big game in tow, the journey back: to Lagos was neces·

sarily very slow, but tbey finally acCOmJ,lished it. They were glad to get rid of the llig animals. Nothing had been s.,&n of the slavers' ship, and Sim Nixon was

still confined in the animal cage. 1 To all his entreaties for lineration a deaf ear was turned. I The cap1ain declared that he was going to carry him to America

and put him In prison. Most of tile ~ages by this time were filled. They now had but few more animals to capture, and a trip was

· made to the southward. · Here a porcupine, au onager, a dromedary and a civet cat were

captured and brought back to the Black Bass. On this trip ]!'rank had seen a place where he thougllt he could se·

I cure a rhinoceros. 1 Accordin~rly, when he had left his last capture on the ship, they s~artell the Rambler for the place.

It was in the French Congo State. On the fullowing day the air· ship reacher! the place. It was near a marshy woodland. The rhinoceros, despite the thickness of their hide, are greatly tor·

mented by iils~cts, and wallow in the mu<l of swamps to coat them· selves with the mire as a protection like elephants.

It is said that the sight of a rhinoceros is sufficient to put a hon to Dight, ne easily kills eleph11nts, man is the only enemy he fears, and this fear ceases when be is wounded or pursued.

They are at once treacherous and aggressive, and furious brutes, whom all resistance only renders the more implacable.

A tour of the place was madtl by the air·ship. They had not proceeded far in tllis manner when a trem .. ndous

shouting ic the voices of ratives reached Frank's ears, and be glanced downward.

Beneath t-he Rambler he saw a score of n~groes. They were rushing in all directions through the woods with every

appearance of the greatest alarm. " What ails them, Shadraclu'' asked the inventor. " Shall I givll them a hail!'' replied the lion-tamer. " By ull means." Shadrach hastened out on deck. There he shouted down to the blacks. They glanced up at the hoat, and with their rear very much. in~

creased ny the sight of it, accelPrated their pace. "Tbey won't answer," sn1d the lion-tamer In disgust. " Why not?" queried the inventor. " Because they're scared of the boat." "Can't you see the r.ause of the alarm?" " I see the saplings and bush~s agitated." "By what!" " A rhinoceros. Here he comes." " Nnw I see him. What a monsLer!" "Lord! Ain't he mad at them!" Tbe brute they were lool,ing at was one of the two horned species

known as the Keitloa, one horu curving forward and the other back· ward.

These creatures are dreaded on account or their strength and fero· city by the native hunters. '

Although usually slow in their movements, upon irritation they can run rapidly, their great weig!Jt anrl strength enabling them to easily force their way through dense jungles, breaking down small trees be­fore their furious charges.

Frank now realized why the negroes were running. He st .. ered the air·bout after the ammal to keep it in view. "Shadracb, don't lose sight of it!" he called. "All right; I'll tell you how to steer." "Look how it rips up rurrows in the ground with its horns.'' " The coons have maddened him." "I've lost him now-where is be?" "Steer to the right more." "Very well. Ah-there, I see him now." The negroes had all climbed up the trees tq get out of danger, and

the rhinoceros rushed on. Presently it reached a large clearing. Here it came to a pause with its nose turned to the wind to scent.

tbe negroes, as the brutes have a keen sense of smell. In the middle of the cleari11g stood a tree. As soon as Frank saw tpe tree, he said: " l'm going to capt.ure that brute single handed.'' "Thunderation, I don't see how you can do it!" said the lion·tamer,

in skeptical tones.

(

14 FRANK READE, JR., AND HIS ELECTRIC AIR-BOAT.

" Oh, I've llenrd how the natives do the game. will be as helnless as a kitten."

" Dor:'t you need any help from us!"

I'll fix him so he 1

The Rambler was then coming down, ·and the rhinoceros had given up struggling, for it could not dtslodgc its born from the tree trunk.

" Only t1) escape." " What are we to do!" " Le~ down a rope close to Utat tree." '' Well!" " When I run for the line and gra~p· it send th& Rambler up." "Very well. We'll keep eur rifles handy in case of :.ccidents too." " That's a wise plan. If you have to use them employ only the ex-

plosive bullets. Leaden balls tlatten against the tough bide of these monsters, and hunters, therefore, only employ Lin or iron bullets when they try to ktll them."

" Where are you going to alight?" ·• Rigbt here." Shadracb lowered the fiyin~ machine. Armed wi~h only his revolvers, Frank debarked behind tile wild

beast and the Rambler was sent toward the tree. Tbere a he paused. A long line was let down. From wbere be was Frank wr.s not seen. The rhinoceros only turnel) its bead occasionally to look i.Jack for

dan~er from the rear. Going down fiat on his face, the young Inventor made tracks for

the lone tree by crawling. It occut>ied considerable time to get between the rhinoceros and

tile tree, but he finally accomplished the task. His friends, all 1\rmell, and standing on the deck or the Rambler,

were intently watching his movements. Gaining tile desired point, Frank arose. He then fired his pistol at the beast .• 'The ball inflicted a painful wound. A cry escaped the rhinoceros, it wheeled around, and seeing the in­

ventor, it pawed at the ground, lowered its head, and made a sudden rush for him.

The brute was mad with fury. Jt designed to gore bim. Frank observed Its plan; He rushed for ~he tree. On came tfte :>east furiously. A wild race followed. Straight for the tree fled Frank. The rhinoceros did not deviate an inch. It plunged on after him, and quickly overhauled Frank. By the time be reached the tree it was within three leer or him. He gl'llsped the rope. Instead of the boat going up and raising him out of danger it moved

ahead, and slammed him against the tree. Pomp bad in the sudden excitement pulled the wrong lever. Instead of moving the one controlling the screws, he turned the

lever that started tile driving wheels. Frank would have been torn to pieces bad he not sudllenly swung

up his legs on the rope. J\1iatakrng the tree trunk for him, as tile inventor orginally intended

it should, tile rbinoceros aimed a terrific blow at it. The horn on ils face was driven deeply into the tree. It remained fastened there. Tile rhinoceros was caught. It could not tear its born free. Frnak dropped to the ground again. The air-lloat passed on. " Come down here!" he shouted. It made him angry be~use his friends had not done as he wished,

and he glanced np at the boa~. As be did so he observed a farge, sinuous body leap from the foliage

of tile tree. Tile beast landed on the back or the rhinoceros. "A leopanll" gasped Frank, in surprise. Tile cat-like beast had been lying hidden on a brunch of the t~ee

and was in a furious mood to all appearance. Frank raised his pistol to fire at it. This was oo sooner done when, with a most ·horrible, blocd·curdling

yell, the beast sprang for him. He felt its claws pierce bis tlesh and the next moment was knocked

flat on his back, tile beast on top of tim.

CHAPTER XIV. CONCLUSION.

THE leopard that sprang at Frank was a large, graceful creature, with a slender form of yellowish color, covered witb spots composea or six emaller spots, and was a most ferocious animal.

A demoniucal caterwaul ripped from its gaping red mouth as it struck against Frank's body, and It was just about to bury its sharp teetb in him when he shot up at it.

Tbe ball struck its leg. A wound was Inflicted that made the beast bound in the air. Down it came with a · ·,.,.i. and landing near the young inventor it

rolled on the grass, scr .. • ·.e,1 at t~e dirt in a vicwus manner, and fairly screamed. •

Frank arose. He was scratched and torn. But he saw that the animal was lamed and at his mercy. "'!'hat's the last beast we need,'' he muttered.

In a few moments the air-ship reached the ground. · " Secure that leopar<Un a bag!' he cried.

Barney and Pomp procured a hnge ca\nvas sack, and holding open the mouth they scooped up l.he leopard.

They then earned it aboard the Rambler and put it in a cage. Released of the sack, the animal aprang at the bars to reach them,

but was foiled of getti og out. Then the coon and the Irishman returned to Frank. i?hadrach had explained how Ponip ruade the error that nearly cost

the inventor's life. Frank then dressed his wounds. This done they shackled the legs of the rhinoceros, and with an ax

cut the tree away from its horn. Tbe savage beast wa.s utterly,helpless. Our friends then begun to devise a means of getting him on the

ship, as he was too heavy to carry on the Rambler. · He was so savage tllat it was evident they could not drag him al0ng,

so it was finally deCided to send the air boat to the Black Bess, and have bet· come down the coast.

She could pause at a point opposite tlmt where the animal was, and the sailors could come ashore and drive the brute to th<! sLip, with the asslstauce of Frank's frieuds. ·

Barney and Pomp were accordingly sent off with the Rnml.Jler. They made the journey in safety, put tile leopard aboard, and then

returned to Frank and Sllndrnch. The air boat. was landed near the captive beast. Here they remain.:Jd for three days guarding it. Then the sailors made their appean.nce, and said th~t the ship had

been brougbt to the indicated place. They arranged tile rhinoceros with ropes and poles so they could

bar.dle him, and finally got llirn to the sllip. He was safely stowed on board. •rhe air-boat bad followed tbem and landed on shore. All bauds theu ho,.rded tile Black Bess nntl saw the thirty kinds or

beasts they bud captured, most of them being pairs. · Tiley were all couliued in pens and cuges between decks, the gi­

raffes being placed nuder tile open main batch so tbetr long necks would not be cramped.

A large cargo or food was taken aboard, and tile sbip was made ready for ber homeward voyage.

Sim Nixon was safely caged up yet and swore fnriously at Frank and his friends when he saw tbem.

Then the two crews parted. The Black Beos put out to sea with her cargo of wild beasts, and

the inventor and his companions went back ab~ard the Rambler and overhauled her. •

She was prepared for her long trip ·across the ocean. In two days they had her ready. Sbe then shot np into the air. At a height of one mile she paused and then ~?lided away.

I Although the four frien<ls bad suffered many hardships and priva­

tions, tbey were delighted witb tile success of tbe journey. It had been perilous sport they were engaged at, but it was

I just such amusement as they liked.

Barney got out bis fiddle, and Pomp his banjo. As they sailed away over the ocean, the Irishman and the coon

struck up a lively tune, and tile clouds ecboed hack the strains of a jolly song they sung.

Several days passed by unevenlfully. 'fbey kept an even distance above the sea, and sometimes floated

with the wiod, and at other times fought it. But tile gallant Rambler steadily held ber coursa. She worked us well as any invention Frank bad ever patented, and

he was very much pleased with her performance. In due course of time tile shores of America hove in view, and the

boat headed across the land toward Readestown. On the eighth day a terrific cyclone came up. The light faded and a dnll gloom settled on the earth. It was difficult for Frank to see wbere he was going, and he started

the search-light. · He then made an e!lort to get out of the furious gale by raising the

air boat above the storm. This had scarcely been attempted when there sounded a most terri­

ble crash a~ the bow. They had been plunging toward tile mountains. A steep, rocky cliff had suddenly appeared before tbem, and al­

though tile young inventor first tried to turn tbe boa~, and then stop· ped the wheels, tile appalling wind caugbt her and slummed her into the rocks.

A grinding crasb followed. The bow was stovP in and the rudder demolished. 'l'he shock knocked every one down, and a scene of excitement

followed, when it was seen that the Rambler was rapidly sinking down into a chasm. '

Frank saw that the machinery was injured. He made an effort to stop her descent, but failed. " All !rands on deck .for your lives!'' he shrieked. Out rushed every one. The boat struck a lellge with a mighty crash. As sbe was toppling from the ellge, Shadrach yelled: "Jump! Jump!" The four sprang on the ledge.

r

r

~'RANK READE JR., AND HIS ELEC'l'RIO AIR·BOAT. 15

They were none too quick. Down plunged the air-boat to lts destrQction. · They heard a grinding and splitting far down below, and knew that

she bad struck tile rocks with great force. It was raining and !Jlowlng, and very dark where they were, but

there was no shelter for them. They remained where they were all night in the utmost discomfort,

and unable to get any sleep. With the break of day the storm passed away. It was then Stlen that the ledge sloped down into a deep ravine sev-

ero! bundrtld feet below them. They went down to look for the Rambler. ~he was found. SmasheJ .to frag1nents. There was nothing left of her. Barney and P.lmp saved their musical instruments. A feeling of sadness overwhelmed Frank when be beheld the wreck

()f ti.Je gallant air-boat. She could never again be of service to him. "But she dtd her duty nobly!" he remarked. " Can't she be repaired?" asked Shadracb. 11 Begob, ti.Jere isn't enough av her left ter ·GO anything!" said

Barney. 11 It am de stranges' t'ing dot mos' eberyfing yo' invent done git

bruck somehow," said Pomp. 11 H they budn't met with accident," replied the inventor, 11 I would

have an enormous collection of them at borne now." " How are we to reach Readestown from here!" asked Sbadrach.

. No one knew just where they were, but Barney spggested a wall;: to find out, and they tried the plan.

Leaving the ravine nod crossing the country they finally reached a sma:t village at which a railroad stopped.

Here they located themselves, and were overJOYM to learn that the cars ran from there to Readestown.

Waiting for the next in, they boarded it, and in due time they reached home.

Here they took a good rest. · The circus was tuen out west, but was expected in Boston on the

following month, and they telegraphed Barnum tha news, and waited for the show to return.

When the circus reached Boston, the ship Black Bess with her car· go of wild beasts came in.

Frank and his friends met them there. The a~ill_lals were put in posstssion of ~r. Barnum and Sim Nixon

was put 10 Jail. Here be was prosecuted for trying to destroy the Rambler and for

piracy against the Black Bess. He was sentenced to a long term in prison. Frank received the ·money the ve.terao showman offered and gave

Shadrach a quarter of it, The total sum was $50,000. Barney and Porno each received their share. Although Shadrach was well off, be liked bls business so well and

had such a magnificent pair 01 lions to perform with be p!irted with Frank and traveled off with the circus again.

The young inventor took hts share or the money to build another contrivance of a wonderful uaturP. which soon occurred to him.

It was destined to oe a marvelous invention and the three friends set to work at building it.

The use they put it to will be shown our readers in the next volume of this library, and we can safely promise you it ll'ill be a most inter· eating story.

(THE END.]

MULLIGAN'S BOARDING HOUSE. By "BRICKTOP."

Profusely illustrated by THOMAS WoRTH. This book illustrates the Comic side of I~ife, full of funny Ad­ventures and Novel Situations, abounding in

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Telling all about how it happened. Containing twelve illustrations by the great comic artist,

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Latest Issu es of Latest Issues of J,atest Issues of the

ITDMI ITHE L{flRARY. FraQkB~.~~~~M~·ilirarg Yo uNG !.:~~r~.ts~IBRARY. No . No. 3 Gymnnstic Jee; or, Not a Bit Like H •s ug~J·~Iom Teaser P r ice 5 Cents. 16 Young Sleuth and the Masked L ady; or, 'l'ho Queen of

4 Shorty; or, Kicked Into Good Luck, by Peter Pad 16 Yo~;~/sJ:~r~~~d l.be Blood Stai.oed Cardi or. Shadow-6 Mama's Pet; or. Alwa.ys In It, by Sam :Smiley ed by tbe Ace e f Hearts. 6 Tomm~ Bounce. the Family Mischief, by Peter Pad No. 17 Young Sleuth on the Midnight ExpreSSi or, The Crime '1 Diok U8ck, tbe Doctor 's Boy; or. A Hard Pill to 16 J!'rank Reade anj Hie Steam Team . of the 'l'unnel.

Swa low. b1 Tom 'rea.eer 17 Frank ReRd e, Jr. "aNew E lectric Submarine Boat" The 18 Young Sleuth in the Prize Ring; or, The Keen Detect .. 8 Sllorty in Luck, by Peter Pad Explorer;' ' or, 'l'o the North Pole Uuder the Ice. ive's li'ittbt fur a Life. 9 Oasey From Ireland; or, A Green Sou of the Old J8 Frank Reade and His ~team Tally-Ho. 19 Young SleYth's Dn.rk 'frail; or, Under the Pavements of

Sod, by 'I' om 'l'easer 19 ]f rank Reade, Jr. 'e New Electric Van; or, Hunting Wild ~en· York.

l~ ~i\l,~~'atrteli;~;,%~~~~hing New Every ~i·~~~~.'l'easer . 20 Fr~~~kiR.:!~die~ ~~~.~~dg~iso~t!~;~aWonder. 20 Yo:E~rr~ ~~r~hji~et.be House ot Phantoms ; or, Figlltinfr by Sam Smi1e:r 21 Frank R eade. Jr . 'a" White Cruiser" of the OloudRi or, 21 Young Sle11th' s Best Deal: or, 'l'rH.ilin~Zthe City Wolves ..

12. The 1\lulcabey Twins. by 'l'om Teaser The Sett.rch for the Do~-Fa.eeti Men. 22 Young Sleutb and. Nell .Hiondio: or, 'fbe Uirl Detect-13 The ViUage Sport ; e r, Two to One on Ev~;YJ~~~miley ~ ~~:~~ ~::S:: ~~ : 18aD~e~~~!_l~::!~ ~h:h Tortoise;" er. ive 1 Oath. 14 0 f h B f N y k Th Ad t f Th s h f s k I 1 d 23 Young Sleuth and the Wolves of tbe Bowery; or, Beat-

n,~:m~n; B~!,~~e. ew or ; or, e vb~ p~et~: Pad I 24 FrankeR::d~. J~~ !ndH"is0Advne~t'ures With His Latest iniC the Badgers' Game. 15 Tom, Dick and Dave : or, Schooldays m New York, Invention. 24 Youflg Sleuth and the "Had :Man" From the " rest; or.

ty Peter Pad 25 }~rank Reade, Jr .'s New Electric Terror the •' Thunder- Green Goods M~n Entrapped . 16 Touchemup Academy: or, Boys Who W ould lie er:" or. The Search for t-he •rartar's Captive. 25 Youug S lenth's Coney h iland Job: or, Beating tbe

Boys. by Sam :3miley 26 FrRnk Reade, Jr .• nnd His Air-Ship. OrookR of the Priza l:ting . 1'1 Corkey; or, The Tricks and 'fravels ef a Supe, 27 l.i'rank Reade, Jr .'s Marvel; or, Above and Below Water. 26 Youna :lJeut.h and the Sand-Baggers of New York; or.

by'l'olD Teaser ~Frank Rende, Jr.'s Latest Air Wonder the ·• Kite;" or, Runnin.: in the Silr.nt Thugs. 18 Three Jacks; or, Tbe Wanderina:s of a Waif, A Six Weeks' l*'ligbt Over the Andes. '¥1 Young Slentb Ont West : or, The 1\:f.)'s t;e ry of 7 x7 .

by Tom reaser 29 Frnok Rea.ie, Jr.'s Gr13at Electric Tricycle, and What 28 Yo~bne~Ds~;~~o~~~d~r~le~~c~.i~s~~r,;e Plotters; or, How 19 Shorty Junior; cir, The Son of his Dad, by Peter Pad He Did for Ch&t"ity. 29 Yomtg Sleuth Chicago's Trick; or, Working 88 Three ~ ~b~lifia~:r~0~f Hustleton; or, The ~~~sT~f ~~eeal!er 30 ~r~io~~e~r~81h~b·~fn~~beE1~ca~~~!fZ:eA~!~~n~~e .. War- Men at Ono Time.

Academy, by Sam Smiley Sl Frank Reade, Jr. , in the Vlouds. ~ Yo_8~~~'i~~~~~·s Baltimore Game; t.r, Shadowing Stolen 22 Shorty Jun1or on Hi1 Ear; or, Always on a Racket, 32 Frank Reade, Jr. , With His Air·Ship in Africa. . 31 Young Shmtb's: Uoston Haul ; or, Tile Keen Detective's 23 Jim Jam!!: or, Jack qf All Tra.des, byblr·~=t~ye!s~~ S3 FrS~~~~~a~~~~ -r.'s" :Sea :3erpent ;" or, The :Search for Great l!"'ind . 24 Tommy Dodd: or, Uounaed Kvery\vbere, by Peter Pad 34 Across the Uont.inent on Wio&"s; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s 32 Youn~ Sleuth's San Franciaco Deal; or, Tbe Keen De.: 25 Sweet Sideeo; or, The. Family Pe t, by Sam Smiley Ureatest ·Fiiebt. tective in California. 26 Shorty and the Count; or, 'l'be 'fwo Great Unmashed. 35 Frank Heade, Jr., Exploring Mexico in His New Air- 33 Yonng Sleuth's Denver Divide: or, For Half a Great.

by Peter Pad ' Ship. ' 3' Yo~~~'1!j~~th an~ th• Lad~ Ferret; or, Tho Gir l Dote<;.,_ ~ ~~~ :nJe~~~v0~~A_~~s~ ~h! ~~~~i~ent on ~;~d~l Teaser 36 Fi'bbet!~~al~~~r~:~e Hunters; or, Frank Reade, Jr., in iva in Peril.

by :-ilun Smiley 37 rhe Electric Man: or, Frank Reade. Jr., in Austrn.lin.. 35 Yosrr~n~~eCt~h;~ Cincinnati Search; or, Wurkina- a 29 London Bob; or, An English lloy in Amer lca, 38 '!'be Electric Horse; or, ~'rank Rende. Jr . , and Hts l"i'a- 36 Yonna S leuth's Great Circus Case·, or, Bareback Hill'.&

by 'rom Teaser ther in Search of the Lost 'l'reusure of the Pe•·uvians. LaSt Act . ~ ~::se;::t~~~wbne of Our Boys, byb~~:t~~n~l~~ 39 ~·r~f~ -t~~~t~;T~i~:~d His Electric 'feam; or, In Search 37 Youn~ ~le,utlJ in New Ol'leans; or, The Keen Detective's 32 A Nice Q;ie t 'Boy; oil N"ver Suspected, by 'rom T easer 40 Around tbe World Under Water; or, 'l'be Wonderful las y Qutc~1Cafg!l. $tOO 000 G . ttl te C 1 . N w f: ~~g:t~r1:gs~:~~ of is Dad, ~~ ~:t!~ ~!~ 41 Fr~~~iitee~Je~ Y~?~nc·b~~= ·F~:;~$!'h tbe Closds . oy~~k. eu 's . ame, or, . on ,a.r o J~ e 35 The Shortyd' Trip Around the World lJy Peter Pad 42 Frank Read e. Jr.'s Senrcb fora Sunken Ship; or, Work- 39 Yonng Sleuth ti St. LoUJR Ce.pture, or, Spreadmg a as Hildebrandt Fitzgum; or. My QHiet Little Uonttin. ing for til e Government . y Doublle Net . h w ' F . 0 • .. M

by 1'om Teaser 43 Lost in the J~nnd of Fire; or, Across the!?ampas in tbe 40 oun~ ~ euth at t e orld s tur, or, Prpmg a . ystery 37 'l'ommy Boonoo, Jr . ; or, A Chip of tho Old Block, Electric Turret . y of Ub81Cagoh., p· 0 . • 'l'h K

by Peter Pad t4 Frunk Reade, Jr., and His Queen OJipper of the Clouds, 41 oun~ !eu,l. s ttte~nr~h 1scovery, or, e een -38 Twins ; or, Which Was the Other? by s,m Smiley P a.rt I. • DetectiVe s Insn~ance Oa.se. . . . 39 Bob Rollick; or, Wha1. Was H e Uor.n For1 by Peter Pnd 45 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Queen Clipper of the Clouds, 4:.! Young Sleuth ~0 ' 1 tbe _KIIlg of, Crooks , or. Ttackmg 40 1'be Sborr..ys-Married &nd :Settled Down, by Pe t.er Pad Part II. Down theW~ st Ma~. 10 ~ew \or~ . .. . 41 'l'ommy Bounce, Jr .• in Oollege, by Peter Pad 46 Six Weeks in tbA Great WhirJpool; or, :Strange A drent.. 43 Young ,Sieutb 1.0 tl~e .JJava ~ed1 8 of New York, or. 42 'l'be Shortys Out for Fun, by Peter Pad urea in a Submarine Boat. Tbe ~eoderlom DJstnot. Uy NJg lt., 43 Hilly Bakkus. the Boy With the B{_g Mouth, 47 E'rank Reacte , Jr ., nnd His Monitor of the Air; or, 44 Young Sl~ut~_an~ t.he Bunco Sbo.rvs , or, The Keen De.

by Oommodore Ah·Look Helping a Friend in Need, tectne 8 WmnHlk Hand . . 44 .. Whiskers;'' or, One Year's Fun at Bell top. Acn?e~ny, 48 E,:rank Reade, Jr . ,,l£:xplo~ing a ~iver of Mrt!terJ:. 45 YoQ~:e~~~~~~ 68Q~et!.et~~v.!\~ty~~k~ Mystery or, 'I he

. . by SnHl Sm •ley 49 .Drank Reade. Jr. , 10 the Sea of Sand, and H1s Discovery 46 A 50 to 1 Sbot . or YounR' Sleuth as a. Jockey : ~= ~~~~t~~ g~~ ~'li~;.i~~ :: ;:t:: ~:~ 50 Ch~~:l·X~~o~=~~~e.Sahnl'l\' or The Bedouin's Captive" 47 Young s lt!ut-b' nod the ExJ?ress Robbers ; or: Ferreting 47 Bob Rollick, theY n.nkee N~tion Drummer. 51 Franlc Reade. ir., and His 'El~ctrio A1r Y a.c..bt; or. 'fb9

48 W Oubt a MNyst~ry of ythe J-tatS~~vayth'

8 t R

by Peter Pad Ureat In ventor Among the Aztecs. on Y,a e~. ; ?r, ouRg e~ s es ace. 48 Sassy Sam; or, A Bootblack's VoyaR'e Around the 52 Frank Rende, Jr., and Hiro. Grey hounrl of the Air; or, 49 A Stral&'ht lip, or, Yoang Sleutll at tbe Amertcalt.

World, by OoUlmodore A.h Look th e Searcb for the Mount.ain of Gold. Derby.

~ ~~,d~~~!Y~i::~s!g~~J. bvb~!:t¥ers~~ 63 1fr~~rfg!\~~Y~~~~; or, Frank lteade, Jr.'s Strnnge Sub- ~ ~~,!~;g8~~~~: ~~d ;~~'}!r~~~uW~TI ~~~:;:iM~sl!~;~bOr. 61 Dandy Dick, the Doctor's Son; or, 'l'be Vilhu~e 54 'l'he M3stio Brand: or. Frank Reade, Jr . , and His Over- Tr~t.cing a Stran~~::e Trnaedy of a Broker's Office.

'l•error, by T om 'feaser land Sta.aa Upon the Staked Plains. 52 YGuu~~r Slenttl and the Opera House Mystery; or, Mur .. 62 Sassy Sn.m Sumner. A Sequ&l to" Sass.t Sam" 65 Frank Reade, Jr .. in the in the Far West; or, Tbe Search dered Behmd the :Scenes .

by Commodore Ah-I.ook for a Lost Gold Mine. 53 Young Sleuth Under the Docks of N~\v York; or, The .63 T be Jolly 'travelers; or, Around the Worl1):o~8~~~Pad 56 Fr'FJi~b~e:~:Os~rtb:J~: ~~~ Air Ship in Asia.; or, A 54 Yo~~~e~;~~ttv:~;~get.~Y~~~io~:tg~~:~: or, A Medi .. 64 The :Sbortys in the Wild West, by Peter Pad 57 Jrrauk &.!•rle, Jr .. and Vlis !\ew Torpedo Boat.; or, At cal Student's Dn.rk Plot. 65 Muldoon, the Sport, by Torn Teaser War With the Brazilin11 Rebels. 55 Young Sleuth and the Rival .Bank Breakers; or, The 66 Obeeky and Ohipper; or, 'fhroullo!h Thick and 'fhin, 5R Fra:sk Reade, Jr., and Hi! Electric Conch; or, The Keen Detective's Girl Decoy. 67 Two Hard Nuts; or, A Term gf j'g~n~o8~.rtJ:o.~k:ook 59 Fr~ri~rcR::Je~hj:.~lea~~Di£{i0~~~tri~4Ho!Cb: or, The 56 YoW'::ctd~~:~~! .Fl~Jsb Light ; 0~' The Dark Mystery of a

68 Tb:~·~o~i:s~C~~'ntry Store, byb~P~t~~np:~ 60 Fr~~:·i~!~~.t~:.~~~dok?~art7::n~t'ic ~~!-g&rriage; or, 67 Yo1n':~:e~;ho1~~et~~:!~t.rder in the State-Room: or, 59 M~:~ld oon ' s Vacation , by 'l'om Tea."er Working for the U . S. Mail · 58 Young Sleuth's Long Trail; or, The Keen Detective

~ fk~:: ~:.wtt:r~~~:;en~t Left. byb~.:r:tT~!s~~ 61 Frt~~d~era8~il~~~~ ~~~!~ic ~~~t~~at; or, Lost tn the 69 Yo!~~r~~~~t~~~"f~~i6re D1Iemma; or, One Chnnce iri 62 Joseph Jump and His Old Blind Nag . ... by Peter Pad 62 Frank Reade .Jr.'s Eleotrio Ice Boat; or, Lost in the On8 Hundred . 63 Two in a Box; or, The Long and Short or It, Land of CrimRon Sno .v. Part H. 60 Yoona- Sleutb and thP Murder at the Masked Ball; or.

by Tom Teasdr 63 Frank Reade. Jr., a.nd His Enaine of the Cleuds; or, Fhthting the LE>&i!'Ue of the Seven Demons. M The Shorty K11ls; or, Three Ohips of t'hree Old Okased Around the Wol"ld in the Sky. 61 Young Sleuth 's Big Contract; or, Olaaning Out tbe

66 .Mi~~o~f~Guinness; or, 'l'ravelinll for Pleasubie.Peter Pa<i 64 Fr~~~t~;:sdi~ ~~ ·:~~~~:t~~J'.yc~~:t:I~r. Thrilling Ad- 62 Yo~~:~~~~t!a~~~~~;:d; or, The False Detective's Vil-

by 'I' om T easer 65 Frank Reade, Jr.•R Electric Cyclone : or, 1'hrilling Ad.. lainy. ~ :f~: ~~~~~·;'.rCwbi~::-;::.•.1~hnea~Wo Werst Bot;; f:ttbePad 66 Th~es~~k~s0inp~~tet,•~;~ ~~~~· l;.d~~jr. , in Search of ta YoLil~. Sleuth's Terrible Test; or, Won at the Risk of

lfor~d, by Sam Smiley a 'l'reasure at the Bottom of tbe Sea. 64 Young Sleuth and the Man With the Diatnond Eye .

All the above libraries are for sale by all newsdealers in the United States and Canada, or sent to your address, post· paid, on receipt Qf price. Address

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